Search Results for: blog positive expectations

Setting Expectations for Dog Training

Do we expect too much from our dogs? Sometimes we think that dogs should jump to obey our orders, and many dog owners soon find out that perhaps we’re not viewing dogs and how we train them in the right way. Pet website ZooToo has an overview of how the dog training process works, explaining why many of us might be going about training in the wrong way. What’s always important to remember, especially when bringing a new dog home, is that there will be a honeymoon period but that period will end. New dogs, especially ones from shelters, brought … Continue reading →

Changing Expectations

If you are having difficulties with your finances or if you are always focusing on what you do not have you may need to change your expectations. It is important to realize exactly what your expectations are and whether or not they are realistic financially speaking. Not everyone is going to be able to afford a new car every three years and a big new house. You may not always be able to go on the nicest vacations. It can be difficult to realize that your expectations are not realistic. It is important to realize that life comes in phases. … Continue reading →

Positive Identity

The last group of assets that will be written about in this series speak to the need for children to grow up with a sense of purpose and worth. Parents play an integral role in helping a child to establish their sense of self worth. The Positive Identity assets include: • Personal Power • Self-esteem • Sense of purpose • Positive view of personal future Children need to know that they have control and responsibility for things that happen to them. Of course, this is not always the case in situations of abuse or other external factors. Help your child … Continue reading →

Setting Appropriate Expectations for Your Child with Special Needs

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An important aspect of parenting a child with special needs is setting appropriate, realistic expectations. This is much easier said than done. Regardless of what your child’s diagnosis, or “label,” turns out to be, he or she is an individual. Your child is likely to have abilities or strengths which are unusual to her condition. Or, he may have difficulties that some children with the same disorder don’t normally face. There is no one-description-fits-all for any special needs child. You must create a balance of both a hopeful, positive outlook, and one that doesn’t expect more than what is reasonable. … Continue reading →

Positive Expectations

What are your expectations of your spouse? What are your expectations of yourself? Have you ever noticed that when you expect the worst, that’s usually what happens? Have you ever found that people live up to your expectations? Not too long ago in this blog the importance of assuming good intentions. Hand in hand with assuming good intentions is stressing positive expectations. Assuming Good Intentions When you assume good intentions, you are less likely to think someone (your partner or spouse specifically) is doing anything to you out of malice. Instead, by assuming good intentions, you can rightfully believe they … Continue reading →

Puberty Can Be Emotionally Overwhelming to Adolescents

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Parents may have forgotten what it was like to go through puberty. According to Psychology Today writer David Schwartz LMFT, puberty can be emotionally overwhelming to adolescents. Your tween or teen may be experiencing emotional difficulty as their body changes. According to David Schwarts LMFT, adolescents start to experience a whole new world of feelings when they reach puberty. They start to have emotions, recognizing their own sexuality and longing for closeness with others of their own age. This can create an overwhelming sense of change and uncertainty. Many adolescents aren’t sure what is happening to them. Parents can help … Continue reading →

Lighthouse Parenting Provides Stable Beacons

Lighthouse parenting is one of many different parenting styles. The overall goal with this parenting style is to provide your teenagers with a stable beacon that they can turn to for guidance. It is a balance between protecting your teens from harm and giving them the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. The lighthouse parenting style was created by Kenneth Ginsburg, MD, MSEd. He has a book called “Raising Kids to Thrive: Balancing Love With Expectations and Protection With Trust”. In the book, he describes lighthouse parenting by saying that parents should be like lighthouses for their children, “beacons of … Continue reading →

Tiger Mother Parenting Can Lead to Problems

What’s your parenting style? Many parents use the same parenting style that they were raised in. It is comfortable, familiar, and fits their cultural background. Parents also strive to raise their children in a way that will teach them to become successful, self-sufficient, adults. Sometimes, it turns out that a particular parenting style is not as advantageous as people might assume. A study found that the “Tiger Mother” type of parenting is not helpful (and might do more harm than good). What is a “Tiger Mother”? The Macmillian Dictionary defines it as: a very strict mother who makes her children … Continue reading →

Mistake #1 Parents Make With Teenagers: Expecting the Worst

I am like any other parent…clearly imperfect.  I have made a lot of mistakes and am pretty sure there is more to come.  But I am also a mom who believes in learning from those mistakes, which is what brings me to this five part series on mistakes we parents make with teenagers. The first one we are going to look at is the mistake of expecting the worst out of your teen.  Sometimes this starts long before they’ve even reached this stage, so it might help parents whose children aren’t quite there yet. When my children were in elementary … Continue reading →

Connecting to Your Preteen

The preteen years can be filled with surprises…some good and some not so good. The way a parent chooses to navigate these years could significantly impact the next stage, as they move into the teen years. One of the most important things you can do during this stage is stay connected with your preteen. This won’t always be easy; depending on how much havoc hormones is having on him or her. And your preteen’s personality will also play a role. All I can tell you is that the struggle with be worth it if you can still maintain a connection. … Continue reading →