Comments on: 7 Happiness Tools We Can Give Our Children

By: April

April — Sat, 30 Dec 2023 04:25:45 +0000

In reply to janet. I have also described my son as an old soul, he ended up getting a scholarship at an all boys boarding school in Chattanooga, a whole day of travel by plane home. Best thing I did for him. He will be 17 soon and just got accepted to Wesleyan, I sure hope he does as well as your daughter is doing!

By: Genesis Clark

Genesis Clark — Tue, 12 May 2020 02:51:08 +0000

In reply to Linnet. Linnet ~ my heart goes out to you! What a difficult situation for you and your little one. Have you tried giving him choices, that is, you've already explained how important the medicine is for him to take (just like it's important for us to eat healthy foods and get good rest and exercise) so taking the medicine for him is a non negotiable (just like brushing teeth before bedtime), so now that all that is established WHEN does HE want to take it, for instance, asking a question like this, "Would you like to take your medicine before I read this book or after? Before your bath or after?" Giving him the choice is empowering. Also, perhaps offering a visual "sticker chart" encouragement to show a progress of success. In addition, when my guys were little, they picked out / or were given a particular stuffed animal / doll that always accompanied them for comfort when they got ouchies / needed to take medicine. We also had them pretend to give their dolls medicine and role played with them this way, i believe doing this helped them feel comforted and and also able to comfort another. Hope this helps!

By: clio

clio — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 10:10:50 +0000

I love how you connected your almost adult child and your apparent lack of influence on her feelings to the whole process of growing up with our kids from birth and especially through their first years. It’s really insightful, and puts everything in a new perspective. It’s so easy to get caught in the daily hussles, the crying, the tantrums, the non compliances when we are in a hurry (and when aren’t we in a hurry bu the way?!); and see all this from a distance, from those teenage years that will depend on how strong a relationship we are building NOW.. it’s very powerful. Thank you.

By: Linnet

Linnet — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 20:26:37 +0000

Wonderful article thank you! My question is relating to being respectful of a child’s body & giving them control when they need to do something they don’t want to for their health! My toddler refuses to take medicine in this particular case he is very sick and needs prescribed medicine! I’ve tried all things possible to stay calm & explain to him, even trying to give it to him while he sleeps! Nothing works & I need to physically force him to take it which is absolutely AWFULL!!! I’m worried about what this approach could do to him & how to do it better!? Thank you.

By: Edisa

Edisa — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 01:48:12 +0000

What a great read! Many thanks

By: Stacy

Stacy — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 07:37:43 +0000

I just love this article! I try so very hard, everyday, to keep RIE principles in my thoughts. So much of my thinking is consumed by tiny, little day to day interactions involving myself and my girls that I almost (happily) get lost in the little things. This post illuminated the bigger picture. What we’re all striving for as parents. It’s not about the minutiae of one push, one meltdown, one hug…it’s about what all of these little events lead to.

I always feel inspired when I read or listen to your words Janet, but this time it’s different. This got to my core. It’s what I needed to read, while my every day struggle/focus is being present enough to stop my toddler from pushing her sister. The focus isn’t stopping the pushing. The focus is how my reaction will shape the little people I’m so worried ALL THE TIME.

What an extraordinarily uplifting and eye opening post. I can’t wait for morning when I can try to be better…just like the next day.

Thank you Janet.

By: Vicki Burgess

Vicki Burgess — Fri, 20 May 2016 14:33:30 +0000

In reply to Lina. Admire Kahlil Gibran too, and agree, this poem resonates with RIE!

By: Anastasia

Anastasia — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 13:00:35 +0000

I love number 1 – so important! These are wonderful reminders!

By: janet

janet — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 16:03:42 +0000

In reply to Sharon. My pleasure, Sharon! Thank you

By: elizabeth

elizabeth — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 16:35:15 +0000

we specifically chose a school for our daughters that also fosters these traits.
i hope more schools will do this in the future…