Sometimes we fail to notice our kids’ strengths. That’s because strengths are often the “flip side” of traits we view as negative.
If your child takes 15 minutes to pick out her clothes, you may see her as picky. But look at the positive side of that behavior. She’s selective. She sets standards. Suddenly, that negative trait seems like a pretty positive thing.
Take a child who’s stubborn. She’s also determined. She sticks with it. She is persistent. She doesn’t follow the crowd.
As you begin to see your child in this new way, you will also help her think of herself in a new light. Later, you can both move on to seeing other people in the same way.
So when she says, “My teacher is so strict,” you will have a new way to respond. “She has high standards. She expects the best from you.”
Reprinted with permission from the May 2008 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2008 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: Gary McKay and others, Raising Respectful Kids in a Rude World: Teaching Your Children the Power of Mutual Respect and Consideration, ISBN: 0-761-52811-3 (Prima Publishing, 1-800-733-3000, www.randomhouse.com/index.pperl).