CREDO XCVI Parenting

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CREDO CXVI

Parenting

I learned some interesting techniques that my mother taught me and even more from my own children as parents. I think they are worth sharing with others.

v When I had a two year-old tantrum, my mother would simply drag me in front of a full length mirror and hold me there. Eventually my fury would turn to giggles and the tantrum was over!

v When I dawdled about getting ready to leave, she would taunt me saying, “Of course, you can’t pack your own suitcase, etc.†I showed her!

v When she thought I would enjoy a book, I would usually demur, so she would hide it and let me discover it.

v When I was six in Paris, I was impossible. Mother would stop and ask, “Now, if you were the mother and had a child like yourself, how would you handle her?†Immediately, I would be intrigued and stop and give her an extremely sensible solution! (I found this account in a letter she wrote to my uncle!)

From my son and daughter Beth, I learned how to take a lifetime of guilt complexes placed on so many children who are told how naughty or bad they are. Switching to a neutral position, one simply says:

v That’s a no! or if they want to do something inappropriate,

v That’s not going to happen.

v Praise and recognition of achievement. For the very wee ones, just clap hands! They usually join in.

Oops! is a very convenient expression………….

lovingly,

ao