After a relaxing summer David is about to be thrown back into school and all the demands that come with it.
I realized last year that even though David is just in elementary school the pressure to do well gets to him. Reading is particularly frustrating for him, and he needs a lot of encouragement to keep him from giving up.
Here are few ways I encourage David to work through the frustration and do his best:
1. Let him know he’s not competing with his classmates. As long as he’s continuing to improve it doesn’t matter if one of his classmates is better at a subject than him.
2. Point out other areas that he is strong in. David is phenomenal at math. It’s important to focus on improving weaker areas, but it’s also important to be proud of your achievements in other areas.
3. Give him a break. By that I mean not constantly making him work on reading. He knows he has to do his homework and read one book a day. After that he gets playtime.
David is a social butterfly. Fortunately he doesn’t deal with a lot of social anxiety. His teachers tell us he gets along well with everyone and is well-liked. There are a few things I’ve told him that I think help him get along with others.
1. Be kind to everyone without condition.
2. Stand up for others when they’re being picked on.
3. Don’t join the crowd when you know it’s wrong. It’s better to do what’s right than be popular.
4. If your friends do wrong you, it’s OK to forgive and give them another chance.
Most importantly David knows that we love him and accept him the way his is and that being true to who you are is always the best choice.
I remind David of these things often, because I don’t think he can ever hear them enough. Especially that he is loved.
The folks at Hallmark know it’s important to encourage our kids and give them confidence, and they have a few products to help us do just that including:
- Hallmark’s Kids Collection greeting cards. They feature kid-appropriate topics from managing difficult academic or social situations, to achieving a personal goal in the classroom or on the field.
- Hallmark “any day” greeting cards for kids, featuring music sensation Justin Bieber.
- Lunchbox Notes, which offer 50 ways for you to add a little love to lunchtime.
- Bug’Em, a pint-sized plush that can hold cards and other tokens of encouragement and give an unexpected lift to any youngster’s day.
Hallmark greeting cards for kids and Lunchbox Love Notes are both great ways to let your kids know you’re thinking of them throughout the day. Surprise them by leaving them in their backpack or lunchbox. Throw in the Bug’Em filled with a special treat to show them a little extra love.
One of you will win a Back-to-school care package from Hallmark that includes all of the above items. To enter simply follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below:
My kids are pre-teens and teens. I try to encourage them often. I have recently wrote them both a letter- at different times- and no one knew about it but the child and I. I just reminded them how special they are and to not forget it and how proud of them I am. They were both touched.
Encourage and compliment them often. Ask them questions and offer advice.
Praise and a lot of “you can do it’s”
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
I give them support, encouragement and love in whatever they do.
With lots of hugs
I reward them for good things
Lunchbox notes are always fun!
I tell my kids everyday how much potential they have and they can be anything they want to be. I also think it is very important to let them feel loved constantly
I tell them they can do it… lots of love and hugs.
I let my girls know on a daily basis how wnderful they are, and what a great job theyve done in every aspect of life. They have grown into intelligent and beautiful little ladies, and i make sure they know it!
always love them and tell them they can do it
vmkids3 at msn dot com
I always tell her what an awesome job she is doing and tell her she is a great girl!
I let them know how well they’re doing.
Give her lots of positive reassurance and support
encourage them,tell them they are doing a good job,support them
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
by listening
Always let them know they are doing a great job!!!
ptavernie at yahoo dot com
With lots of love, support, encouragement, and understanding
Always Saying I Love You
Lots of love and attention.
I constantly tell my 4 kids they can do anything and be anything they put effort into.I tell them how much they are loved and that no matter what that they can always come to me.
I just offer encouraging words and love. I like to put notes in there lunch box too =:)
With lot’s of talk’s and alway’s being there for my daughter.
chrissylea1979 (at)gmail(dot) com
I try to keep my daughter motivated by rewarding her for jobs well done, and helping her through problems.
i encourage our kids with positive reinforcement
I try to encourage them verbally no matter what
Lots of Praise!
I encourage them by telling them that they have done their best if they tried their best and that is always good enough for me.
I love writing little notes for them!
telling them how proud I am of them
I try not to be critical…and always encourage them and support them and respect them and their feelings. And always remind them that I love them. 🙂
My twins are both in 6th grade now, it’s been a rough week. I’m finding that encouragement and letting them know that what they are feeling is normal is the way to go. Yes and lots of hugs! Good Luck.