Empathy means showing concern and understanding for another persons feelings. Recognizing your child’s needs and putting aside whatever you are doing to put his/her feelings first is showing empathy. When you empathize with your child who is sick, in pain, tired, hungry or unhappy your concern gives comfort with a common goal to overcome this problem together . This shows that you are tuned into him and that you understand how he feels. Knowing when your child needs extra attention your empathy gives him the reassurance that you are there for him. It is moments like these that a child remembers and passes the same empathy on to his own child – the next generation. Seeing your child imitate your parenting skills is the highest compliment you can receive. When you reach out to your child by showing empathy your are saying ” I love you”. That is all a child wants to know. For more information www.sheilaaronbooks.com.

Childhood is meant to be carefree, fun, secure and safe. A time for children and parents to explore new experiences together, communicate how they feel and express their feelings openly and freely. A time for a child to enjoy learning with each new days adventure. Hearing a parent say “I love you” leaves a lasting memory which stays with you for a lifetime. Help make happy childhood memories for your child by reminding him/her how very much he is loved. Knowing that can make a big difference between an unhappy or a happy childhood. For more information www.sheilaaronbooks.com.

People inspire us throughout our lives to reach for higher goals, excel and be the best that we can be. We admire certain people for different reasons – leadership abilities, a great way with people, handling a problem or giving advice – are just a few.  Did you ever think that you may be an inspiration to someone? You are – your child. Being an ispiration means putting yourself out there, giving your all and showing that you are willing to accept whatever the outcome is. Give your all and be the biggest inspiration in your child’s life. For more information www.sheilaaronbooks.com.

It’s time for school to start - are you and your child ready?  Starting school  can cause apprehension and anxiety.  What  ”tools” have you given your child to prepare him/her for this new experience?  The term “tools”  probably bring a  notebook and pencil to mind.  Those are tools used in school.  The tools referred to are the words that you send him off with that will help him  relax, feel secure and pay attention to what the teacher is saying.  Hearing the words “Enjoy your day and  remember that I love you very much”  will make the difference between being scared and anxious to being confident and ready for all that school holds in store.   Give your child a cheer of loving support each day as he goes off to  school and an equally loving welcome home after.  Now sit back and enjoy listening to the all the events of the day.   For more information www.sheilaaronbooks.com.

If you were going to evaluate your parenting skills how would you answer these questions? Do you tell your child “I love you” daily? Do you give praise and encouragement? Do you discipline with respect? Do you show kindness and forgiveness? Do you give comfort and support ? Do you listen and hear what your child is saying? Do you give hugs and affection? Do you have fun with your kids? Incorporating love, discipline, affection, praise, listening, kindness, forgiveness and fun into being a great parent requires one to be open and flexable for whatever happens in a single moment. Giving your all shows your child how much you care and want the very best for him/her. Take pride in on the spot decisions. If you think you could have done better, own up to it. Be forgiving of yourself. No one is perfect. Give yourself a pat on the back and strive to continue to live up to your own expectations as a parent. The best reward for a parent is to see your child imitate you – it means he really heard you.
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Discipline is the word used to describe what parents try to impart to their child so that he/she will learn to how to control their behavior. Teaching a child discipline can be tedius because you may have to repeat yourself several times, in fact, many times, before he retains the information. Teaching good table manners, take small bites, chew with your mouth closed and avoid interrupting when others are talking are some basic behavior learnings. Parents teach their child good behavior to prepare him/her for the time when he goes out in the world on his own. When discipline is done in a respectful and loving way the results will be gratifying for both the parent and the child. Disciplining a child with criticism is insulting, demeaning and destroys his confidence. Disciplining with respect will get his attention faster than tearing him down with hurtful words of criticism. Make teaching fun and discipline sincere and your child may surprise you by taking small bites, chewing with his mouth closed and maybe even holding your chair for you. For more information www.sheilaaronbooks.com.

Do you hear yourself saying the same thing to your child that your parents said to you, in the same tone of voice? Do your like what you hear? It is only normal to repeat and imitate your parents, afterall, they were your role models. Your children will continue the cycyle by imitating what they have seen and heard at home. If your were raised by loving parents, you will probably parent your child in the same way. If you were raised in an atmosphere of anger and abuse, you will probably parent your child in the same way. As a role model to your child you set the standards for the next generation and those after that. If your parents raised you in an atmosphere of anger and abuse decide now that you are going to stop the cycle of abuse and will parent your child with love and respect. Words of love and encouragement make a big difference in the life of a child. Give your child every reason to want to parent just like you. For more information www.sheilaaronbooks.com.

The daily challenges that parents face such as setting rules, disciplining, emotional upheavals and sending a clear message, requires them to show their leadership capabilities. Yes, it is difficult to be strong under trying circumstances but, if you are weak and don’t assert yourself as the parent, your child will take this as a message that you don’t care enough to follow through. Send a clear message to your child that you love him and want to teach him what is right. Strong words send a strong message – “I love you and want the very best for you”. Sharing your love is an essintial part of being a strong parent.
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Parenting comes without a manual. There are lots of books that will answer your questions but, parenting is learn as you go with on the job training and can be stressful for even the best of them. You learn through trial and error what works best for you and your child finding comfort in the fact that you managed to overcome the challenges. All the while, as you and your child are enjoying the experience of getting to know each other you are also becoming his/her first teacher. Everything you do has an impact on his development that will effect how he views the world throughout life. As a parent one of the most valuable lessons that you can teach is the language of love. Make it a daily priority by saying ‘I love you’ for any and every reason or for no reason at all. Becuase of you future generations will also know the joy of the language of love. Good job. For more information visit: www.sheilaaronbooks.com.

Our country is a mixture of cultures, races and religions. How accepting are you of those who have a different color of skin or dress in traditional clothes from their country or speak in a foreign language? Do you look the other way? Avoid helping them if there is a problem? Smile just to show friendship? A simple smile may make a huge difference in that persons day and yours as well. Teaching your child to be accepting of others helps him/her understand that people are people whatever their race or religion is. It gives him an opportunity to meet interesting people and learn about other cultures while sharing a moment together. Teach your child that we learn from one another and by being open and accepting of those who are different, we may end up making life long friends. For more information www.sheilaaronbooks.com.