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Quote of the Day

"In films murders are always very clean. I show how difficult it is and what a messy thing it is to kill a man."

Alfred Hitchcock







 




 
Featured Family Articles

5 Steps to Stress-Guard Your Family
5 Tips to Stress-Guard Your FamilyPart 1: Recognize the importance of family stress management Joe and Emily live in Southern California with their three young children. Both work and must commute 2 hours daily on busy freeways, often not getting home ...

Collecting Your Family Tree
What is genealogy and a family tree? Genealogy is a hobby where you collect information about your ancestors, that is, everyone in your family that has lived before you. You collect vital statistics, such as when and where they were born, lived and ...

Friends Are A Gift You Give Yourself
My oldest boy is fifteen and was a real jerk about a month ago. He had gotten pretty full of himself and acted like he was too cool for the rest of the family. Pretty typical teenager behavior, but I didn't like it. I had gotten to the end of my ...




Develop Your Child's Critical Thinking Skills
 


1. Encourage Questions.


Don't answer every question, instead ask what do they think. Asking questions stimulates conversation between you and your child.


2. Don't Criticize.


Criticism invites low self-esteem. Children feel that they have failed or disappointed their parents when they are criticized. Find alternate ways of correcting the problem. A child will likely shut down communication if they feel that their parents are not supportive.


3. Respect Your Child's Opinions.


Your child is not an extension of you. Although it is difficult to accept at times, it is normal and healthy for your child to have their own opinion. Children who are confident in expressing their opinions are less likely to join gangs or succumb to peer pressure.


4. Teach Your Child To Embrace Diversity.


Encourage your child to learn about different cultures and ethnicities. A well informed child can will understand and respect other people's values.


5. Teach Your Child To Set Personal Boundaries.


Children need to have their personal space respected in order for them to respect other people's personal space. Help your child to establish their boundaries and insist that he/she enforce them with their peers.


6. Establish A Nurturing Environment.


Children thrive in environments in which they know they are loved and respected. Remind them every day that you love them and support them.


7. Understand Your Child's


Thinking Process.


In order for you to be an advocate for your child in school, you must know and understand how your child learns. Is he/she creative, logical, musical, spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic? Know your child's capabilities and accept their creativity.


8. Let Them Think For Themsleves.


Encourage independent thinking. Let your child decide (within reason) what is appropriate for them. Give them enough room to make decisions, but also be there in case their plans don't work out.


9. Teach Them Stress Management Skills.


Help your child to effectively deal with stress. Try not to contribute to their stress with demands and unrealistic expectations. Make learning fun!


10. Teach Your Child To Trust His/Her Instincts.


In order for children to be successful in life, they must learn how to trust their decisions. Your child needs to be confident in trusting his/her instincts and feelings. Children who trust themselves are less likely to participate in unhealthy behaviors.






Marie Magdala Roker is a Family Coach and Certified Breakthrough Parenting Instructor. She is completing her Masters in Health Education at Columbia University's Teachers College. She helps parents to reclaim their lives and students to unlock their academic potential. She is committed to helping build healthy families, one family member at a time.

mroker@livelearnempower.com








Family News

Undercover officers use Taser on pallbearer - Wbt.com
A North Carolina sheriff's official is apologizing for disturbing a funeral where undercover agents tried to serve an arrest warrant on the dead man's son and used a Taser to do so. The Star-News of Wilmington reports that the incident happened ...

Will Muschamp to take over at Texas when Mack Brown retires - KHOU
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has been designated head coach-in-waiting by the university, expected to take over the Longhorns when coach Mack Brown retires. Muschamp is in his first year with Texas, but athletic director ...

Malia, Sasha have first glimpse of their rooms in White House - Daily News and Analysis
Malia and Sasha Obama got their first glimpse of their new rooms WASHINGTON: Nine days after their dad and mom were shown around the White House, Malia and Sasha Obama got their first glimpse of their new rooms in the palatial presidential mansion ...

30-Day Age Limit For Nebraska Safe-Haven Law Advances - WJBF.com
A 30-day age limit in the Nebraska safe-haven law appears headed for final approval. The state Legislature voted 41-6 Wednesday to give second-round approval to the limit. A final vote is expected on Friday and then the bill will go to Gov. Dave ...

Democrat Mark Begich Beats Ted Stevens for Alaska Senate Seat - Nymag.com
Bringing the Democratic majority in the Senate up to 58, Mark Begich was declared the winner of the Alaska Senate race over 40-year incumbent (and recently convicted felon for corruption) Ted Stevens. The final vote difference was 3,724. Still ...