THE INCONSISTENT TRUTH!!!

                 "Ever since my child was a toddler she has been hard to manage.  I am afraid that 
                  when she gets to 7 or 8 years-old I won't be able to control her at all.  What is 
                  wrong with her? Where did I go wrong?"


STEP 1:  Rule out physical challenges.  Could your child have hearing or sight impairment?
                Could they be on the autism spectrum?  Could they be in pain?

STEP 2:  Investigate emotional challenges?  Does each child get an equal amount of positive
                attention as their siblings do.  Being the middle child in a family or a child with a        
                disability sometimes requires the parent to give more attention.  Maybe this is a single  
                parent home where time is limited?  Is this child part of a blended family that may be   
                fretting over the loss of the absent parent or being picked on by step-siblings.

STEP 3:  Is it in the genes?   Is the child simply strong-willed in comparison to your other
                children?  If this is so, then a strong will does NOT excuse inappropriate, negative 
                behavior!

STEP 4:  Do their issues stem from you?

                a) Have you established clear expectations, boundaries and consequences for negative
                    behaviors?  Have you explained and trained your kids to meet these expectations?
                   
                b) Are you consistent?  Do you apply consequences one day and not the next.  Do you
                    model the kind of behavior you expect from your child or is there one rule for
                    them and another for you? 

               c) Are you fair in your parenting approach?  Do you praise when they reach and/or
                   exceed your expectations?  Do you forgive and forget or do you constantly
                   remind your child of their failings e.g. "I knew I couldn't trust you to do it right after
                   the mess you made of it last time."  Do you compare or favor one child
                   over another, or treat one child more kindly than another?  Do you make promises
                   you can't or won't keep?  Do you over-react out of anger rather than allowing yourself
                   to cool down and become objective in your response?  Do you praise more than
                   admonish your child?

There is no getting away from the fact that parenting is a hard and sometimes thankless job.  However, when you provide a caring and loving home environment; value each child for their differences rather than try and push them into the same mold; when you spend time with each child and make an 'all out' effort to understand how they tick, what they like, how they roll and are consistent in your parenting practices, you will garner their respect, love and the positive behavior you are looking for.

Written by Sally Burgess, Forefront Families

THE NEED FOR AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT

We are living in a volatile world where determination to overpower others at any cost is ever present.  This affects us all.  We are constantly facing decisions about who and what is right after considering all sides and evaluating all information we can muster.  If this is stressful for us, how much more are our attitudes affecting our children?

We have found it impossible to discuss politics with some of our friends.  They are so vehement in their convictions that exploding opinions makes having a meaningful conversation on the subject impossible.  Children in these homes are soaking up their parents' attitudes and the way they are expressing them.  Highly opinionated parents tend to produce highly opinionated kids.  Instead of allowing their children to work out what is right and wrong when they come to an age of really understanding the issues, the parents are modelling intolerance.

1. We need to accept that other people think differently than we do and that their beliefs have
     value to them.
2. We need to think seriously about how we came to believe what we do, and not just because our
    parents or significant others held those opinions e.g. "I am voting for X party because our family
    has always done so."  We need to have rational reasons for our beliefs and share these with our
    children as they reach their teens.
3. We need to allow our kids to ask questions and even disagree with us, without us becoming
    defensive.  We need to listen and therefore give value to our children's ideas and inquiries.
4. We need to seriously evaluate our opinions and attitudes and be graceful in admitting when we
    are wrong.
5. We need to be respectful of others even if we strongly disagree with their beliefs.

FORGIVING OTHERS IS A HEALING THING

Terrible atrocities have occurred throughout the world when one group of people rises in power to overcome another e.g. the mass killing of Jews during World War 2 and other ethnic cleansing in more modern times. Admittedly, it takes a huge heart to forgive others in these circumstances, yet it happens over and over again.  I have been sincerely touched when I hear a parent forgiving a perpetrator for murdering their child or other family member.  Hatred is destructive.  It causes a person to constantly smolder over the offense rather than letting it go by forgiving.  When a person says, "I will never forgive you," they imagine they have a lifelong hold over that person.  What actually happens, is they have imprisoned themselves.

ASKING OTHERS' FORGIVENESS IS ALSO HEALING

It is often very difficult to admit you were wrong and to utter the words, "I am sorry."  It is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength of character.  We need our children to hear the words, "I am sorry" from us at times.  It is important that our children learn to apologize also.  The real test of asking forgiveness, is in not repeating the same action again.

By being forgiving and teaching our children this value, we do indeed positively influence the future.

Written by Sally Burgess, Forefront Families

CHILDREN FACING PARENTAL LOSS

We were deeply saddened recently to hear about the drowning death of a good friend who had gone with his young family overseas to do missionary work. John and Sue had only been there for a year when John was caught in a rip off the coast while swimming. I can’t begin to imagine what a shock it was to lose a dear husband and father of two boys. He was only 54 years of age.

PARENTAL LOSS COMES IN DIFFERENT WAYS

It might be death through accident or illness, departure from the home through divorce or military service, incarceration or a job away from home. How do kids deal with the complete loss of a parent or an absent parent over a sustained period of time? What changes family dynamics with the departure of a parent?

According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, a person requires the following to be met for physical, emotional piece of mind and maturity. Without the basics being met there is very little hope of the higher needs being fully actualized. Each level relies on the one below.

1. Physiological needs - food, water, shelter, warmth and rest.

2. Security and safety.

3. The sense of belonging and love - intimate relationships and friends.

4. Esteem needs - prestige and the feeling of accomplishment.

5. Self actualization - achieving one’s full potential, including creative activities.

STAYING AFLOAT

When a parent dies there comes with it the immediate fear of how the family will manage. If it is the financial provider who has departed, then the threat of coping begins at level one. When only one parent is left to fulfill the roles of both mother and father, added to the grief process, the family will initially need outside support to keep the family physically and emotionally afloat. If this is a single parent home and that parent is no longer there, the children become extremely fearful of what will become of them and will require much support, supervision and assurance that they will survive this catastrophe and hopefully remain together.

EXPECTATIONS ON CHILDREN

There are several important points I wish to make regarding the children.

Point 1: The oldest child of a bereft family should not be expected to take over the ‘father’ or ‘mother’ role now their parent is gone. They are in the grieving process themselves and do not need to hear, “You have to step up and be the father (mother) of the house now!” There is no way they can be expected to take over this role, being totally ill-equipped to have such a responsibility or burden put on their shoulders. After all, they are still children, trying to make sense of the world and their place in it especially now a parent is gone. Instead, if it is possible to find an adult male relative or friend to support the remaining parent, that is a much better solution. Often grieving children need expert counseling to help them adjust to life without their beloved parent.

Point 2: Now there is only one parent to run the home, the child should never be used as the parental support system. A child cannot cope, understand or be expected to solve adult issues. Find adult support systems and get professional help to better manage the situation and to help the children sift through their emotions and adjust to the family changes.
Point 3: Grieving children need to be able to express anger, anxiety and/or deep sorrow. They may be holding back for fear of upsetting their grieving parent. Journaling their emotions might also help them to crystalize their thoughts.

Children need love and assurance during this transition in their lives. It is important not to change too much too soon in rebuilding family life. If the departure came out of a toxic relationship, then professional help will be required to assist the family make the family environment peaceful again. The loss of a parent for any reason is a tragedy and children's emotions must be a priority, even if friends or family step into the breech for a short time until the family regains some semblance of order.

Extra resource: Julie Hayslett, Nashville, TN shared her thoughts on this subject also.

Written by Sally Burgess, Forefront Families

TRUE GRIT!

I saw this incredible little story on Face Book recently and it was so inspiring I thought it well worth sharing.

 

HAVE YOU ALLOWED CRUEL WORDS TO DESTROY YOUR DREAMS?

My brother-in-law had it noted on his High School Report Card that he would not amount to anything academically.  He could have given up at that stage but, instead, he completed University studies and went on to become Assistant Principal and Principal of schools.

I came across an old teacher of mine from High School.  When I told her I had just completed a Diploma of Nursing Studies and was on my way to a Bachelors degree her retort was, "But you weren't academic material!" My immediate thought was, "That's what you think! I must admit I wasn't so sure how I would go at University study when I ventured out, but I even surprised myself!

I am sure many of you have had similar experiences.  How important it is to instill in our children that one person's negative opinion (often said without thought or when they are disheartened, frustrated, angry or jealous themselves) is not necessarily anything like reality.

If you notice your kids becoming despondent, find out what has happened, take that negativity and deal with it immediately.  One idea is to write that comment or situation down on a piece of paper and burn it as a symbol of dismissal.  Then immediately put a plan in place to help them prove to themselves that they can do 'it'.  Create achievable goals.  Encourage successes and put down failures as something to learn from.  Yes, call failure what it is.  We all do fail.  We need to teach our kids to get up and keep going.

Really stoke your kids up on the dreams they might have, help them discover their strengths, find heroes to reach up to and just go for it.  Meryl did it and so can any one of us!

Written by Sally Burgess, Forefront Families

ARE YOU LOSING IT?

Are you losing it?  Losing what, you may ask – my hair, my mind, the plot? 

Are you losing control of yourself and/or your family? Specifically, are you losing your temper with your children? 

Do you let yourself get so angry and frustrated with them that you find yourself ranting, raving, yelling, or threatening them with unrealistic or impossible punishments?

Nobody likes being yelled at.  Why?  Because it is disrespectful and frightening.
Nobody likes being physically attacked.  Why?  Because it hurts both body and pride.
Nobody likes inconsistent expectations.  Why?  Because it creates a feeling of distrust and insecurity.
Nobody likes living or working in a constantly tense, stressed, negative atmosphere.  Why?  
             Because it is bad for one’s emotional and physical health. 
 
So, why do we find ourselves losing it with our children?  There are two possible reasons. 

Firstly, are we role modeling on our own parents’ poor family management skills where screaming and yelling parents incited screaming, yelling kids?  Was it an effective disciplinary tool then?  So, how can it work successfully now? 

Secondly, are we inconsistent in our expectations and have we explained those expectations to our children?  Do we reward expected behaviors and created consequences for non-compliance?  Do we
undermine our spouse/partner by creating good guy/bad guy style parenting?

WHAT CREATES A HARMONIOUS HOME?

  1. Create a management plan that both parents agree on and will adhere to. 
  2. Ensure your kids know your expectations, your boundaries and consequences.
  3. Have fun with your kids.  Give them time.  All work and no play creates frustration.
  4. Always look for the positives in your kids
  5. Be aware of your red buttons and deal with them - go to anger management classes if necessary.
  6. Stand together (be consistent) as positive parents who will stand by one each others' decisions.
  7. Be willing to apologize to your kids for losing your temper.
  8. Teach your kids how to resolve conflict in a respectful manner.
  9. Monitor your own and your kids' moods and create time to express and deal with concerns.

Written by Sally Burgess, Forefront Families

LET THEIR MINDS RUN WILD!

I can't help but feel that our kids are fast losing the concept of imaginative play.  Children seem to be involved in way too many passive activities with handheld games and video/TV watching.  These things can so easily take over our kids' minds.  It seems to me that they rarely have to think for themselves any more.  They are too busy watching all the action instead of being busy creating it!

When we think of the many things we did as kids it's a wonder we're still alive.  We would stay outside, often well away from home, and our parents often had no clue where we were.  I understand that we couldn't safely do that now.  The world has changed so much.  If the weather was fine our parents would send us outside.  As long as we were home before dark our parents were happy that we were playing and using our imaginations.  We didn't have the competing technology that children have today.  Yes, we do have to think about safety since there seems to be so much more awareness of 'stranger danger' then we ever knew as kids.  However, we do not need to allow our kids to be babysat by social media either.  

Your children can play in the backyard, building play huts and running under the sprinklers when it is sunny, making tunnels out of plastic pipes to run their cars down, or do artistic activities inside.  You can involve them in helping you make little carts to run down slopes outside.  They can make shapes out of clay or mud.  You can show them how to make and decorate cupcakes which they can eat later. If they are involved in the creation as well as enjoying the end product, it will teach them that if they persevere there is a reward.

Taking your kids to the library will allow them to explore the kids' books that are available.  Some will read stories that require their imaginations to run wild.  Or, they can find books on how to make things that they can create at home, maybe with your help.

A visit to a hobby store is an excellent way of firing your kids' imaginations.  As they wander the aisles they can start creating things in their minds, such things as drawing a picture and sticking glitter, grasses, beads, seeds, feathers and such on it.  Maybe the art can be framed and hung on the wall to be enjoyed by the family or be given away as a gift. 

When our daughter was only 4 years-old she was looking for something to do so I can remember vividly giving her an egg carton, string, aluminum foil, yarn/wool, felt tipped pens, some glue and a cotton reel.  She disappeared for some time and came back to show off her handiwork.  She had made an alligator.  Soon we discovered she had a real creative flare, particularly in art.  This oil pastel drawing below is a sample of her work as an adult.

Whether indoors or outdoors we need to be encouraging our kids to run with their imaginations.  You just never know where it will lead them as adults.

Link to Kristee's artwork:
https://www.facebook.com/Kristee-Mays-Creative-476588362409007/photos/?tab=album&album_id=476590025742174

Written by Sally Burgess, Forefront Families

WHO COMES FIRST?

          

           How many have heard, said or believe the following sentiment regarding the reason they 
           work so hard?
 
                    "I have always worked my butt off in my career for my family and I know it has 
                     meant personal sacrifice. It has robbed me of lasting friendships and time with 
                     my family.  I don't do it because I enjoy working long hours. So, why do I do it?
                     I work like a dog to earn the most most money I can to make sure my family live 
                     a comfortable life and to make their dreams come true. I do it because I love them 
                     and I believe it is my responsibility as the breadwinner to provide for my family.
                     I know they don't see much of me, but they will thank me one day!"

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Unfortunately, the above concept is a blind trap. When relationships suffer because we say we want to give our family a great life, that might be in the future, but what about the NOW? Many marriages fail because families rarely see the breadwinner - the Dad/Mom. It can end up with the kids not really knowing this stranger who calls him/herself the provider.

SO, WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN TO BE A PROVIDER?

1. To bring in enough money to meet household needs rather than wants.
2. To provide physical presence rather than give presents in absentia.
3. To be a role model who is there to lead the family by creating and acting out 
    strong family values.
4. To be available to provide guidance, encouragement and discipline when necessary.
5. To teach kids how to make wise choices and discern when they are troubled or
    need help.  
6. To build a positive home environment.
7. To lovingly support one's spouse/partner.

                                                         IN SUMMARY,
                                             YOUR FAMILY NEEDS...YOU!

Written by Sally Burgess, Forefront Families