| The 'phone conversation had nothing at
| |
| | have faith. You're a whole lot better
|
| all to do with parenting - but it made me
| |
| | than you think.
|
| think . . .
| |
| | Secondly, do some study. You probably
|
| 'Hello, Eastbank Football Club. Can I
| |
| | weren't taught parenting skills at school
|
| help you?'
| |
| | or college, yet parenting is the most
|
| 'Good morning, may I speak with the
| |
| | vital contribution to society. There are
|
| Assistant Coach, please?'
| |
| | lots of books, courses, tapes, CDs and
|
| 'Oh, I'm sorry. He's still on vacation.'
| |
| | videos on parenting.
|
| 'I see. Is anyone on the coaching staff
| |
| | No excuses! Grab some and get busy.
|
| there?'
| |
| | Knowledge and insight bring confidence.
|
| 'No, they're all away right now. The
| |
| | Whatever stage you're at, you can improve
|
| club's closed for another week yet. I'm
| |
| | yourself.
|
| only the Groundsman.'
| |
| | Thirdly, learn to temper your reaction in
|
| 'Well, thanks anyway. And hey, why say
| |
| | stressful parenting situations. Easier
|
| you're only the Groundsman? If it wasn't
| |
| | said than done! But you can make a
|
| for you, there wouldn't be a football
| |
| | conscious effort to stay calm and remind
|
| club. They'd have nowhere to play!'
| |
| | yourself of Dr Peale's advice (You're
|
| (Pause) 'Yeah, I'd never really thought
| |
| | more capable than you think you are!),
|
| of it like that. (Laughter) Thanks a lot,
| |
| | and you can put into practice what you've
|
| pal, you've made my day!'
| |
| | been studying about family dynamics.
|
| So often we do ourselves down, don't we?
| |
| | A fourth way to boost your parenting
|
| We devalue our own contribution or
| |
| | skills is to develop yourself in some
|
| service.
| |
| | way. Yes, remember those piano lessons
|
| "I'm only a shop assistant!"
| |
| | you once took, or that art class you
|
| "I'm only a . . . " (fill in the blank!)
| |
| | attended? Interests like these are great
|
| Sometimes we even hear women say: "I'm
| |
| | stress relievers and they build self-
|
| just a housewife"!
| |
| | confidence - which is vital for
|
| Confidence and self-esteem are often in
| |
| | parenting.
|
| short supply these days. And nowhere more
| |
| | If you feel you're already confident in
|
| so than in PARENTING!
| |
| | other matters, but it's only in parenting
|
| Even those who are superbly confident in
| |
| | you feel a lack, why not take up some
|
| their work or social situations, often
| |
| | activity with your kids? Learning
|
| teeter on the edge when it comes to their
| |
| | together brings you together, and can be
|
| parenting skills.
| |
| | great fun!
|
| Why?
| |
| | Finally, resist any temptation to go it
|
| Is it something to do with the breakdown
| |
| | alone. Nature intended us to be social
|
| in old-fashioned values and concepts of
| |
| | creatures. Seek advice from grandparents,
|
| authority; the widening gulf between kids
| |
| | relatives, friends. Overcome your pride.
|
| and their parents; the dangers we as
| |
| | Discuss your parenting challenges with
|
| parents are so acutely aware of, but
| |
| | others and draw on the communal strength.
|
| which are casually dismissed by our kids?
| |
| | And d'you know what? You'll find you're
|
| Whatever the causes, there's a lot you
| |
| | not alone. Let's work on parenting
|
| can do to improve things.
| |
| | together, as a community.
|
| Dr Norman Vincent Peale, author of The
| |
| | Confident parents raise confident kids.
|
| Power Of Positive Thinking, used to
| |
| | Take action now. If you do nothing, you
|
| advise people to sit down and write out a
| |
| | can look forward to more of the same old
|
| list of all their assets and abilities.
| |
| | worry, tension, ill-feeling, etc. etc.
|
| But Dr Peale's next suggestion is
| |
| | Zap these negative trends once and for
|
| crucial. Once the list of assets and
| |
| | all. To give yourself a real boost, check
|
| abilities has been written, he tells us
| |
| | out our website. And why not sign up for
|
| to raise the stakes.
| |
| | our free monthly e-zine, Family Features?
|
| Simply BELIEVE that you are at the very
| |
| | To show our appreciation we'll send you a
|
| least 10% better than you think. It's now
| |
| | free six-day e-mail course entitled A
|
| widely acknowledged in modern psychology
| |
| | Step-By-Step Guide To Positive Parenting.
|
| that you'll still be way off the mark! So
| |
| |
|
