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Browse published articles attributed to Jean Tracy, with full-archive search.
When your child frowns and moans, “Nobody likes me,” Do you suffer too? Would you like 50 parenting tips for helping your child make friends? Let’s start with 3 social skill tips you can teach your child today. “The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.” – Mother ...
Would you like 3 parenting tips on how to discipline without criticism? You can stop being your child’s critical judge and build character instead. Look inside to find out how. I’ve done my share of criticizing. It didn’t help me or my or build character in my children. I knew I had to stop and I did. Today I’ll share how you can stop criticizing too, but first let’s look at why criticism is such a poor way to discipline. Discipline Tips for Parents – What’s Wrong with Criticism? Take yourself for example. Did your parents criticize you?
Good discipline builds character in kids. Poor discipline does not. Notice the manipulation in the story below. Imagine your son returning his report card to his teacher saying, “My dad told me, ‘If these grades don’t improve, someone around here is going to get a spanking.’” And as he passes the report card across the desk, he whispers, “Teacher, it’s you.” Today I’ll share why child discipline is so important and the discipline formula you can use to build character.
Could 3 parenting tips turn your “I-can’t” kid into an “I-can” child? You bet. Look inside for 3 parenting tips you can use today. Whose fault is it when your child acts helpless? If there’s a person who treats your child like a prince or princess and does too much for your child, tell that person to stop. They’re making your child, weak, dependent, and helpless. Why Kids Act Helpless Your Sally wants to get out of chores. She whines loudly over and over, “It’s too much!
Does your young child lack concentration power? Would you like to increase your child’s attention span? Inside you’ll find 3 parenting tips to help your child focus, learn, and become a better thinker too. Parenting Request from Hina, a Valued Newsletter Subscriber: Hina is both a mother and a ...
If you've been searching for a truly powerful way to get your kids to communicate with respect, now is the time to make it happen. Let the family meeting rules guide you. Look inside to find out how. Let’s pretend your kids, Jack and Jessica, bring up the problem Jack’s having with the bully next door. As a family, gather around the table to discuss it .The family meeting rules will help you. First Rule - Listen with Respect: You and your children must listen without interrupting.
If you want your kids to love and respect you and each other too, keep reading. I can almost guarantee each member of your family will give and receive the love and respect each member craves. Your mission, if you choose to take it is, “Look for the good” in your kids. It CAN be done! The Biggest Parenting Mistake Ever! So many parents see the behavior they don't like. They want to train their kids to “be good.” They're trying to be good parents too. But they look for the bad. They find it and in a cranky voice they whine:
Are you unsure about your child’s character? Do you know how he really thinks and acts? If you’d like 9 fun parenting tips for building his character, look inside. The father of a second grader bragged, “Jesse received 100% on his math and spelling tests.” “Wonderful!” said his ...
Is your child lonely, sad, or angry? Would you like to teach your child how to make friends? If you don’t know how, I’ll share the secrets here. First you need to know that research tells us the average child spends 25 hours in front of the TV each week.TV characters become their “friends” and their role models. Speaking about role models, I remember teaching a new class of first graders. Everyone, except two little boys, was sitting tall in anticipation of story time.
Would you like some parenting tips when your child pouts with lips turned down and drooping eyes? Do you feel stressed, nervous, or angry with the pouting? Look inside for 3 ways to understand, help, and build character in your pouting child. I know how difficult it can be when your child pouts. Pouting affects your feelings and stresses you on the inside. ‘Oh, no,’ you think. ‘I must make Joey happy.’ If the pouting continues, your mind, like a rubber band, can snap with anger. ‘He shouldn’t pout. He has no reason.’ You yell, “Joey, wipe that look off your face right now!
If you and your partner are caught up with your children and not with each other, it's time to step back and ask, "How can we ignite our relationship?" Inside you'll find 3 no-cost dates to help spark your love and make it sizzle. First Dating Idea ~ "Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me, ...
If quotes and compliments could help raise strong children with powerful characters, would you use them? If discussions about right and wrong boosted a peaceful conscience, would you hold them? Read on to find out how. How Character Weakens: Imagine a kid named Calvin respecting his popular friends too much. Perhaps he steals candy, bullies younger kids, or cheats in school just to be liked. Calvin respects his friends more than himself. Discuss Self-Respect:
If 3 character tips could stop your angry child from exploding, would you use them? If so, look inside for 3 parenting ideas that are sure to help. Temper can be a volcano blazing out of control. It blows its top without thinking. It demands what it wants or else. There’s no room for reason. If your child’s a volcano, you’ve got work to do. When your child is calm, take time to discuss anger, its cause, and its solution. I know you’re wondering how. Before I tell you, grab a piece of paper and ask your child to draw a volcano at the top.
Would you like to raise children with successful characters? Does your crankiness get in the way? If so, you're not alone; I've been cranky too. Look inside for 3 ways to help your kids want to succeed. Today I'll share the secret formula for raising respectful kids who want to succeed. You won't have to feel cranky or guilty again. Instead you'll create more success, more cooperation, and more respect in your home. But first I'll tell you about the power of positive influencing and a little girl named Carol. Influencing is your reaction to your child's behavior.
What happens to discipline when your child argues with you? Does the discipline become a battle? Lea 3 ways to model character and practice the winning formula for solving arguments. It’s time you get the respect you deserve. The Discipline Problem: Endless Arguing betwee You and Your Kids: Arguing with kids is like a spinning top. It keeps spinning until you give up, tip over, and say, “Yes” when you want to say, “No.” Kids push arguments to senseless heights. Be rational when they’re not, otherwise your discipline will fail. They’ll win. Why?
Is your child telling fibs? Would you like 5 parenting tips to help her tell the truth? Inside you'll find five suggestions you can use. Quote on Truthfulness: "What people say, what people do, and what they say they do are entirely different things." - Margaret Meade Parents, if you have a ...
Selfishness, like a small mirror, only sees the self. How can you help your child go beyond the mirror and see others? Parents of kids with great character know how. They ask 2 important questions. The questions boost moral reasoning. Before I tell you what they are, think back to a time when your child was selfish. Did you tell him why he ate all the candy, took his little brother's toy, or whined when he wasn't first?
Parents, if you'd like to discuss right and wrong with your kids, stay tuned because today well talk about the 4 Point Plan for using moral dilemmas with your kids. You'll be building character too. For our purposes a moral dilemma is a question to ask your kids to get them thinking before problems occur. Here's an example of a dilemma to ask your kids: Pretend you saw your friend take money from his mom's purse without asking. He's buying candy for the both of you. Will you take the candy? Why or why not? Print these 4 letters unde eath each other ~ P L A Nr
How do disrespectful kids become so mouthy? How do parents feel when a child insults them? Look inside to find out what you can do to change this kind of disrespect. Disrespect is like wearing muddy clothes. It’s sticky, nasty, and dirty. Like mud you don’t feel good until you clean up the tone and the words. Ask yourself, “Where did my child learn such disrespect?” If the answer is “me,” please don’t run away. Everyone understands how angry a parent can get. Let’s come up with ways to change your anger and model better behavior.
"Ultimately the bond of all companionship, whether in marriage or in friendship, is conversation." - Oscar Wilde n Whether it was a long time ago or recently, you promised to love, honor, and cherish your spouse. That includes the way you talk with each other. Perhaps you've slipped into ...
Teach these 3 simple social skills to your child and stop worrying whether kids like him. Most kids say or do things that turn other kids off. This doesn't have to be your child when he learns the social skills you are about to teach him. n "Chris, 9, ordered his best friend to help him do his ...
Are your children self-centered? Are you worried that their self-esteem is on the wrong track? Inside you'll lea 3 parenting tips for increasing self-esteem and decreasing selfishness. This Parenting Request Comes from a Valued Newsletter Subscriber: "Dear Jean, I would like to get some ...
Motivation is your child's North Star. It's the guiding point your child can use to reach goals. Find out right now how to motivate your child with positive self-talk. “You can't make me!” shouted the young girl. Her mother looked down and walked away. If you have an unmotivated child, don't give up. Don't walk away. Why Raising a Motivated Child is Crucial to an Enthusiastic Life
These 3 parenting tips help you and your partner say, "I'm with you. I'm walking beside you. I love you." If you practice the tips below, your children will be building character by watching and learning from you. Inside you will be given suggestions for practicing the tips too. "Why would a ...
Did you marry to love, honor, and cherish your partner? Is conflict ruining your vows? If so, look inside for a powerful yet simple solution. Of course, you want a successful marriage. You want your partner to love, honor, and cherish you. You promised the same to your partner. What happened? When two people marry, conflict will occur. That’s normal. How that conflict is solved holds the key to your happiness.
Do bullies call your child names? Does he come home crying? Look inside to find out how you can strengthen his character and deal with bullies. Bullies are always cowards at heart and may be credited with a pretty safe instinct in scenting their prey. – Anna Julia Cooper Let’s say your Weston, ...
Would you like a fun way to build self esteem, mind power, and character? Inside you’ll discover how bedtime stories create mind power, self esteem and character. Why not give this self esteem gift to your child every night? I remember my mother telling me, “Jeanie, you can do anything you put ...
Why is it so hard to teach children to be loving and grateful? Is there a Gratitude Formula that increases love and character in kids? Yes, you'll find it inside along with 5 ways to teach it to your kids. Joseph Stalin said, "Gratitude is a sickness suffered by dogs." If you agree, read no ...
Do you have a child who groans, gripes, and grumbles, doesn't listen, or has ADD? Inside are parenting tips for creating character building charts. They help turn misbehaviors into great behaviors and build character too. n Parenting Tips - Bribing vs. Training: n First, let's get one thing ...
When you try to help your child with homework, does he pout? Do you get mad? Do you regret what you say? Inside you’ll find 5 mistakes and 10 parenting affirmations to motivate your child and build character too. Character Building Quote: “It is easier and wiser to raise a happy, healthy child ...
Could your marriage use a boost? If you could unlock the door to happiness, would you? Would your children be happier if you were too? Inside you’ll discover one simple master key to becoming parents in love. Because of busy lives, the demands of children, and little time for each other, is ...
Is your family life peppered with upset? Are you falling into the tyrant trap? Look inside to find out how to stop finger-pointing and become a rational loving person. Successful marriages “Don’t smother each other. No one can grow in the shade.” Leo Buscaglia. Tyrants smother their spouse ...
Does mind reading cause fights in your marriage? Find out how one young couple handled their first spat. Then learn the 3 magic solutions for preventing both mind reading and fights in your marriage. Kids on Marriage 7-year-old Will answered this question, “Is it better to be married or ...
Would you like a loving and lasting marriage? Do friendship, love-making, and a life filled with meaning appeal to you? If so, read how one couple I interviewed grew in their marriage with two special secrets that you can use too. Bob and Nina, married 23 years, still look at each other with ...
Do you have an angry child? Does he growl like a pit-bull to get his way? Look inside for 5 parenting tips. They’ll give you a power tool for turning your angry kid into a rational child. To get what they want, kids learn to holler at an early age. Babies cry. Toddlers scream, bite, and kick. ...
Do your children care for themselves according to their age and abilities? Would you like to boost their self-esteem and character? Inside you’ll find age-appropriate chores that instill the “I can do it myself” attitude. Childhood Wisdom: “When Heidi was 5 her mother decided to give her $1 a ...
Marriage and parenting require modeling listening skills. When your partner speaks, do you listen, interrupt, or walk away? What do your children see? Look inside to find out what one successful couple did. Ed and Marilyn, married over 25 years, meet my husband, Jim, and me at a fancy ...
Do your kids long to fit in with the crowd? Are you worried they’ll do the wrong thing just to be liked? Inside you’ll find 3 parenting tips to help them make good choices and become people of character. Peer Pressure Quote: “There’s one advantage to being 102. There’s no peer pressure.” – ...
Parents are your kids stressful? Do they leave messes, fight with each other, or sass you? Try these 3 parenting solutions when your kids tempt you to explode. First Stressful Problem: When Joey leaves another mess from his daily snacks, don't pull your hair out. Don't blow up. Lengthen your fuse. Keep your yelling to yourself. Be as rational as you can be. The Magic Question to Ask Yourself:rn‘What can I do to teach Joey a lesson and give myself some time to unwind?' Your Action Step:r
Is your sweet child getting in trouble? Do you worry about the kids he plays with? Inside you’ll find 5 parenting tips for helping kids stay out of trouble. Childhood Wisdom and Big Trouble: A 10-year-old boy named Joe and his 8-year-old brother, Danny, fought like cats and dogs. The older boy ...
Do you wonder how self-esteem and chores fit together? Do your children play outside, watch TV, or play computer games while you do their tasks? Look inside to learn how giving children a list of chores builds their self-esteem. Childhood Wisdom: Amy’s mom was going to clean the car she ...
Many children don’t have a clue about social skills. They think bragging is the way to make friends. If this is a problem with your child, look inside to see how you can help and build character too. “I’ll talk about what I do if other kids ask me, but I don’t like to brag about it.” – Hunter ...
Is your marriage at odds with your parenting? Do you tell your children one thing while your spouse disagrees? Inside you'll find 3 ways to create a family team. "They say it takes a village to raise a child. That may be the case, but the truth is that it takes a lot of solid, stable marriages ...
Parents, is your child the victim of a bully? Is he shamed, hit, or teased? Perhaps your kid is the bully. Either way you'll receive 5 parenting questions in this article you can ask your kids today. Parents Beliefs about Their Bully: I remember parents who brought their 9-year-old son for counseling. “What's the problem?” I asked. Parents: “The teachers say he's a bully.” “What does he do?” Parents: “Like all kids, he acts tough. He calls kids names and gets in fights on the playground. He wins too. The tattletales tell on him.” “What's he like at home?”
Does money burn a hole in your pocket? If you don’t want money to burn a hole in your child’s pocket, there are things you can do. Inside you’ll find parenting tips teaching your child to become a saver and build character too. Why not teach your children to follow the money - ...
Inside you'll find 11 parenting tips for raising children with character and 2 recipes for selfishness. Find out how your moral compass is the gateway to a better character and a happier life. First Selfish Recipe: None of us want our children to grow up selfish. Yet some parents try to better ...
Goal setting with pictures fit together like laughter and fun. Both end with feelings of joy and contentment. Yet many grown-ups don’t experience this. They fail to turn their dreams into goals. Don’t let this become your child’s fate. Childhood is the best time to teach your child the tools for ...
Is your child’s self-esteem low? Are other kids’ opinions of him more important than his own? Is he afraid to try new things? Inside you’ll find my personal story and how self-esteem affirmations can build character in your child. How Lack of Confidence Fractured My Ribs: I started skiing in ...
Are you your child’s credit card? Does your child beg for money before paying off what he owes you? Inside you’ll find how to stop being a credit card and start teaching your child discipline about money. How many times have you asked, “Do you think I’m made of money?” only to reach deep in ...
Do you have enough time with your spouse? Do you focus too much attention on your children? Would you like to keep your marriage and your family strong? Inside you’ll find 3 parenting tips for staying in love. Childhood Wisdom: Art Linkletter’s TV program “Kids Say the Darndest Things!” filled ...