Character traits
by Betsy on Nov.14, 2011, under Character traits, Holidays, Parent modeling, Parenting
There isn't a school around that doesn't step up the giving spirit as Thanksgiving and the winter holidays approach. Mini vans are jammed with cans of corn and candied yams to replenish the city's depleted food pantry shelves. Bags upon bags of gently used clothing are distributed...
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:Thanksgiving; Giving; Sharing; Charity; Philanthropy;Teaching charity
by Betsy on Nov.06, 2011, under Brat-Proofing, Character traits, Parent modeling, Parenting
(Posted for the second time...that;s how important this one is!)
“You will not believe this story,” began the email from a client who had just returned from family services for the Jewish New Year. She described the mother and three children sitting next to her own family. “She...
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:Parenting; Parent modeling; Communication; Hypocrisy; Honesty; Be the Person;
by Betsy on Aug.07, 2011, under Character traits, Environmental influences, Parent modeling, Parenting, Toddlers
Young children notice difference. As they try to make sense of their world, they pay attention to regularity and irregularity, what is familiar and what is not. And there is no judgment involved, just recognition of difference. Truth be told, most people notice difference. It’s no big...
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:Beliefs, Compassion, Gender Orientation, judgement, kindness, Parent as teacher, Parent bad behavior, Parenting, tolerance, Values
by Betsy on Dec.25, 2010, under Character traits, Holidays, Learning, Parent modeling, Parenting
Every year my friend Freida gives me a surprising gift. Far out pop-up books, foodstuffs from the Homeboy Industries-Homegirl Catering and Kitchen, DVD’s of documentaries I might have missed. But this year’s is the best: Of Thee I Sing: A letter to my daughters by Barack Obama.
I...
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:Beliefs, Books, Christmas, family, family conversations, Family meals, Modeling, Parent as teacher, Reading, Values
by Betsy on Sep.21, 2010, under Character traits, Expectations, Learning, Parent modeling, Parenting
“You will not believe this story,” began the email from a client who had just returned from family services for the Jewish New Year. She described the mother and three children sitting next to her own family. “She was knitting!” (Yes, you read it correctly,...
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:Character traits, Hypocrisy, Modeling, Parent as teacher, Parent bad behavior, Parent modeling, Parenting, Respect, Values
by Betsy on Jun.10, 2010, under Character traits, Child development, Parent modeling, Parenting
When I was pondering the Introduction to my new book, You’re Not the Boss of Me, it occurred to me that all I really needed to write was one sentence: Be the person you want your child to be. Four pages later, that didn’t happen. But I...
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:Armando Galarraga, Bad choices, Disappointment, excuses, Feelings, Heroes, Jim Joyce, Mistakes, Modeling, Parenting, sportmanship, Values
by Betsy on May.01, 2010, under Behavior, Character traits, Communication, Discipline, Environmental influences, Expectations, Parenting
While I cannot take credit for inventing the expression lousy local conditions, I use it all the time. It’s just so right-on-the-button.
Lousy local conditions refers to those times when a child’s less than perfect behaviors are magnified or even created by the conditions of his environment. The...
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:Compassion, Empathy, meltdowns, Misbehavior, Patience, Tantrums
by Betsy on Apr.24, 2010, under Behavior, Brat-Proofing, Character traits, Communication, Parent modeling, Parenting
In response to my recent appearance on the Today Show – http://www.clicker.com/tv/today-show/Brat-proof-your-child-866570.html in case you missed it! — a woman wrote to tell me I was off base. She said that children are naturally brats and are naturally selfish.
While I would not be quick to countradict this...
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:Brat-Proofing, brats, Delaying gratification, Parenting, Selfishness, Values
by Betsy on Mar.12, 2010, under Character traits, Communication, Parenting, Sensitive Topics
“I just have to hug my kid. And I tell him that I love him every chance I get.” That’s what I have heard over and over for two weeks, as parents continue to process Julia Siegler’s death. They are circling the wagons, appreciating every day with...
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:Admiration, Compassion, Death, praise, praising your child
by Betsy on Jan.16, 2010, under Character traits, Child development, Communication, Parent modeling, Parenting, Safety, Sensitive Topics
There is no debate that the disaster in Haiti is just that, a disaster. But there are differing opinions about whether young children should be exposed to this news.
While I suggest that you have a look at chapter 11 (Is the Fire Going to Come to Our...
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:Charity, Compassion, Earthquakes, Empathy, fear, Haiti, talking to children about disasters
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