Parenting | Kirby Andersen

Monday, June 22, 2015

4 Simple Habits To Get Promoted Faster Than Peers

Give Your Child A Winning Edge

We all want the best for our kids—to have advantages that perhaps we didn’t. We work hard to use whatever resources we have to pave the way for them to hit their mark as adults. So we set up college funds; get them in the best schools; build their experience through diverse extra-curricular activities; use our network to secure helpful internships for them.

All good. Yet, sometimes common sense training—which turns out to not be so common—can provide an even greater real-world edge. Even with limited resources.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Give Your Child A Clear Example To Follow

In Parenting, More Is Caught Than Taught

My dad used to say, “Do as I say, not as I do.” I knew what he meant. He knew his shortcomings and didn’t want me to follow in those footsteps of his. He wanted better for me.

Yet the reality is that in parenting, more is caught than taught. Both the good and the bad. Queue Harry Chapin’s, “Cats In The Cradle.”

That’s why it’s vital that you give your child a clear example to follow.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

The Benefits Of A Morning Routine For Your Child

5 Simple Actions To Start Each Day Smoother

By Gail Andersen

Ever had one of those mornings when, after pushing the snooze button several times, you jumped out of bed, quickly showered, dressed, and then realized you’d forgotten something extremely important? Perhaps you forgot to shave, or brush your teeth, or even—heaven forbid—your phone as you rushed out the door?

Days like those remind us that a specific morning routine helps our days flow much smoother. A solid morning routine not only streamlines our start, but also sets the tone for our day.

Monday, June 08, 2015

2 Things Your Child Needs To Hear From You—And Often

As parents, we are constantly talking to our kids. Maybe I should say “telling”. Telling them what to do, what not to do, what they should have done, how to do something or do it better. They hear from us—a lot.

It’s a big part of our job description as parents: instruction. Got to have it. Yet there’s another vital aspect of our communication that your child shouldn’t have to do without. It’s telling him how you feel about him, especially that you love him and are proud of him.

Wednesday, June 03, 2015

Use Self-Talk To Become The Parent You Want To Be

Write Your Own Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

I would do anything short of sin to make life better for my kids. One day, twenty-five years ago, when my kids were young I realized that the best thing I could do for them wasn’t to make more money or buy a bigger house—it was to provide them with the best version of me.

That was going to take some work. I wasn’t a bad person, yet I was acutely aware of my shortcomings. I’d hoped I would have simply grown out of them. But I knew in reality it was going to take some real work on my part.

Wednesday, June 03, 2015

How Moms Can Balance The Seemingly Urgent and The Truly Important

Prioritizing The Real Priorities

By Gail Andersen

During the years when life flew by with nary a second thought, I had to force myself to stop and take stock of what I was doing with my time. Often I was so busy that I couldn’t see the forest for the trees. I found it essential every so often to take a look from 50,000 feet up to gain perspective on how I was using my time.

Mother Helping Daughter with Her Homework

Courtesy galleryhip.com

As a mom of five wonderful children under seven years old, I found myself inundated with things pulling for my attention—five little ones, the doorbell, the laundry, the phone. At any point in time, I felt that I had to choose between a minimum of eight to ten things—all urgent. Add that to the fact that my husband was a perfectionist (though he loosened up) and it was literally a recipe for disaster.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Creating A Stress-Free Bedtime Routine For Your Child

By Gail Andersen

After a full day of work either on the job or at home, most parents look forward to an evening with some time to unwind. Yes, there will be dinner and dishes, but if you have children in the mix, you’ll have to add in all that goes along with getting those little ones into bed and keeping them still enough for the sleep dust to take effect.

Courtesy MagicMum.com

When we only had two children, things were a little more flexible in our home. In fact, it took us a long time to actually have a set bedtime for our boys. Both my husband and I would focus our efforts after dinner to complete projects, and we would continue in that mode until one of us would notice how late it was. Then we would negotiate about who should be on kid duty that night.

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