Comments on: 6 Things You Can Do Today to Change Your Child’s Life

By: Go Green Fundraising

Go Green Fundraising — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:53:03 +0000

What a great list. I’d add “Be an Example”. Kids are ALWAYS watching us and we don’t get to filter what they will or will not mimic. We are their example of what it means to be a human so we should all strive to be the people that we would like for them to become. For most of us, that means being more patient, forgiving, sharing, caring, and loving.

By: Emily Geizer

Emily Geizer — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:18:38 +0000

Great comments here! They all round the list out nicely.

I do think that the most important thing you can do to change your child’s life is missing, though. It’s understanding your child’s perspective.

This alone will steer all other parenting choices. In fact, study after study has shown that understanding your child’s perspective has a bigger positive impact on your children than most other things you do.

Granted, it is not always easy or intuitive, but I think it is the most important work of parent.

Emily Geizer
http://www.childperspective.com

By: Read to Pop « Fat Daddy, Esq.

Read to Pop « Fat Daddy, Esq. — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:31:03 +0000

[...] came across this post on zenfamilyhabits.net titled 6 Things You Can Do Today to Change Your Child’s Life. I agree with [...]

By: Fat Daddy, Esq

Fat Daddy, Esq — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:13:43 +0000

I agree that reading to your children is essential. I think implicit in that is also having them read to you. My daughter just turned five and she is already reading some Dr. Seuss books to me because my wife and I read to her routinely. My daughter’s pre-Kindergarten teacher told us that there are students who not only cannot read, they do not even know how to hold a book. It is sad that there are parents that do not take even a short amount of time everyday to instill reading in their children.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:56:26 +0000

Loved this post! My wife and I have a 10-month old daughter, so some of these rukes don’t apply just yet, but it is definitely good advice for the future.

Something we are trying to do with our youngling is not to say “No” and instead saying “uh uh” or calling her name in a tone that she recognizes to be different than our regular tone. While she was pregnant, we witnessed a bratty cild that constantly screamed “NO!” at her Mom while grocery shopping. That event really struck a chord with us and we decided to try saying everything but “No”. Of course, this is an experiment, so I will let you know how it goes in a few years.

By: Alexis Martin Neely

Alexis Martin Neely — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:37:59 +0000

Love this post Leo. This year, I took my kids out of school and am now homeschooling them. I’ve come to realize that the very best gift I can give them is not the gift of reading, writing and math, but the gift of learning how to be in the world. They’ll pick up the reading, writing and math they need along the way. Unfortunately, for most of us, it’s been the other way around – we are taught academics 8 hours a day and we pick up learning to be in the world. While I sound totally confident right now, there’s definitely a lot of fear in this whole path. A lot of letting go and trusting happening in action.

By: Pat

Pat — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:24:52 +0000

Thanks Leo. This is a very timely post for me. I’m about to have my first child, and am pretty scared about being a first time parent and making sure I do the right things. I know how much a parent can influence a child’s life, so I want to make sure I do things right. Even now as the baby is still in my wife’s belly, we are reading to him and talking.

Thanks to you and everyone else for their additional tips. Cheers!

By: Cheri

Cheri — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:46:01 +0000

I would add to the list – See the greatness in them!

It is easy to focus on what can be improved (study habits, interaction with friends, first time listening…)

But if you authentically focus on what is amazing about your child they will see that you are looking at them with those eyes.

And if you want to take it even a step further – let them overhear you praising them (when you are talking to a neighbor or your spouse!)

By: Round-up | Smart Family Tips

Round-up | Smart Family Tips — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:12:14 +0000

[...] 6 Things You Can Do Today to Change Your Child’s Life @ Zen Family Habits [...]

By: Adventurous Wench travel store

Adventurous Wench travel store — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:21:35 +0000

I need to work on removing my shield and opening up my daughter’s world to a lot of things. When you’re a parent, oftentimes, you can’t help but make things easier for your child.