Praising your child has always been a “tricky” area of parenting. You want to raise your child to be a confident human being while also embodying what it means to be humble and appreciative. So, how do you stay within the bounds of instilling self-assurance without going overboard? While every child is different, several parenting approaches allow you to praise your child’s efforts without enabling arrogance. Raise Confident Kids 4 Tips Every Parent Should Follow RECOGNIZE YOUR CHILD’S EFFORT IN ADDITION TO THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT. As parents, it’s easy to praise your child’s accomplishments without acknowledging all their hard work to achieve them. Suppose your child won first place in their school’s spelling bee. Instead of praising them for being the best, acknowledge how all their studying paid off. EXPRESS CONFIDENCE IN THEIR ABILITY TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS. Let your child know you’re not only proud of them but also that you know they can achieve their goals. This praise sets the stage for your child to share future goals — for example, making the basketball or cheerleading team. AVOID FORESHADOWING PRAISE WITH NEGATIVITY. This may be difficult for some parents, especially if they’ve had repeated obedience issues. If you’re proud of your child’s game- winning catch, avoid prefacing the statement with “Even though you
didn’t cut the grass as I asked …” This can be considered the equivalent of a backhanded compliment, and no one responds well to those.
ALIGN THE LEVEL OF PRAISE WITH THE ACCOMPLISHMENT.
In other words, don’t overdo it. Parents are their children’s biggest cheerleaders, so it can be challenging to tame your emotions when they win or overcome a fear. This is, of course, at your discretion, but it’s something to be mindful of. Does winning the season's first game warrant a big backyard party with all the bells and whistles? Everyone’s parenting styles differ, but instilling values such as believing in oneself, empathy, gratitude, and determination are qualities any parent can nurture in their children for the betterment of themselves and those around them.
Caring for a loved one with dementia can tax your patience, understanding, and insight. Trying to communicate, even about seemingly simple issues, can be a daunting challenge. At The Dementia Center, we understand these frustrations, and we have designed seminars to support caregivers and to lighten their load. Here is a brief glimpse of the practical tools we will be offering at our Memory Cafe, Caregiver Support Groups, and other events. Please see our events listing on Page 3 of this newsletter to learn more! COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY Do This: Use short, simple sentences and speak clearly. Not That: Speak in long, complex sentences with long explanations. ‘DO THIS, NOT THAT’ WHEN SPEAKING TO A LOVED ONE WITH DEMENTIA
RESPECTING INDEPENDENCE Do This: Encourage the person with dementia to do what they can, even if it's slow or imperfect. Not That: Take over tasks without asking or assuming they can't do it simply because it’s easier. KEEPING A ROUTINE Do This: Keep a consistent daily routine to provide a sense of security. Not That: Change their routine frequently, leading to increased confusion. SOCIALIZING WITH OTHERS Do This: Engage in gentle social activities that the person with dementia enjoys, like looking at old photos or listening to familiar music. Not That: Force them into social situations that may cause anxiety or confusion. PROVIDING REASSURANCE Do This: Offer gentle reassurance when the person with dementia seems anxious or confused.
Not That: Tell them to “just calm down” or change the subject without addressing their emotions. OFFERING MEMORY AIDS Do This: Use memory aids like calendars, clocks, and labels around the house to help with orientation. Not That: Rely solely on your memory or expect them to recall everything without gentle reminders. LENDING EMOTIONAL SUPPORT Do This: Be empathetic and validate their emotions, even if they can’t express them clearly. Not That: Dismiss or minimize their feelings, saying “you’re fine” or “there’s nothing to worry about.” In addition to these topics, we also will explore effective ways to talk about your loved one’s dementia diagnosis, encourage them to engage in activities, and redirect negative emotions. Call or email us today to join us for one of our educational events!
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