Teasing Out Self-talkLet your children know that self-talk (your inner voice) exists, and help them balance stressful thoughts with positive ones.

Esteem

We all want our children to grow up into healthy, happy, and positive people. But how do we help them do this? Follow these simple ways to help your child get a healthy dose of character growth every day.

Best Part of Day (BPOD)Each day, have everyone in the family say what their best part of the day was.

Gratitude

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL GROWTH

Inspire GenerosityHelp children give to others both in full view (donating to a school food drive) and in private (dropping off gifts anonymously).

Generosity

The Saturday BoxThe Saturday Box claims anything that’s been lying out for a while (parents’ things too!); what gets claimed is gone until Saturday. This gives kids a sense of communal responsibility in their own micro-community.

Responsibility

Learning to Lose Surviving Tantrums Separation AnxietyA competitive spirit is great, but remind kids

that everyone is in it to win—sometimes it’s just

not “in the cards.”

During a tantrum, offer small choices with

directed options (not yes/no)—having a little control can help calm

children down.

Practice being apart, whether it’s off to

Grandma’s or preparing for first-day-of-school

good-byes. Prepare your children to thrive in

your absence!

Self-Regulation

Be Without a Ceiling Just Play UnpluggingGo outside with your children every day.

Move in a space that has no ceiling. Weather

is no excuse!

Provide opportunities each day for your children to just play. Let them delight in the freedom to create, imagine, and associate with others.

Take a restorative 24 hours off-line from sundown Friday to

sundown Saturday. No phones, tablets, or

computers!

Play

Mindful ParentingMindfulness (the art of non-doing) isan opportunity to grow into precious moments alone and then alongside our children.

Mindfulness

If you follow the right path, helping your children grow emotionally and socially is fun, impactful, and the best part of each day for you and your children.