| Personal power is the self-belief and confidence to | | | | them aware of it. |
| know that you are capable of anything you set your | | | | 3. Correct their behaviour in a positive way, using |
| mind to. It means you feel good about yourself, and | | | | positive language. For example, rather than saying |
| that you do not rely upon others’ opinions to | | | | “no, that’s wrong”, ask him “what |
| feel good about yourself. Such a strength is | | | | could you have done better?” This way, rather |
| something we all want our children to have. | | | | than focussing on what’s wrong and drawing his |
| Our children are indeed born with such qualities. They | | | | attention to the idea that there’s something |
| believe they can do anything, and won’t give up | | | | wrong, you are getting him to learn from it and focus |
| until they do, or get what they want. Unfortunately | | | | on a new possibility of behaviour. |
| though, through life they pick up messages to the | | | | 4. Avoid negative labelling. Language is very powerful. |
| contrary. But there are ways that parents can teach | | | | What we say in front of our children matters. |
| their children and empower them to have the | | | | Phrases such as ‘she’s so…..’, ‘he |
| confidence to try new things and focus on their | | | | can’t…..’ are a form of label, and imply that |
| abilities rather than their failures:- | | | | that’s the way they are and they won’t |
| 1. Lead by example. Our actions as parents are so | | | | change. . Using terms such as ‘bad boy’, |
| powerful. Our children watch our every move. We | | | | ‘silly’, ‘stupid’ is giving them labels, |
| cannot be telling our children what to do, if we do | | | | and kids wear such labels. Remember, it is not your |
| not follow our own rules. In fact, I would suggest | | | | child who’s silly, it’s their behaviour, and you |
| that, in many things, children can learn perfectly just | | | | can teach them just as well through positive language |
| through watching us, rather than us telling them | | | | rather than negative. |
| instructions. For example, as a child I would stand and | | | | 5. Be mindful of what you say about your children. A |
| watch my grandmother cooking. She never gave me | | | | comment about a child to another adult within the |
| lessons, yet when it was the time for me to start | | | | child’s earshot is even much more powerful than |
| cooking, I knew what to do. Language is not the | | | | a comment to the child himself. So if you’re |
| medium through which children learn. | | | | talking about your child, make sure it’s a positive, |
| 2. Pope John XXIII said “See everything, | | | | endearing comment! |
| overlook a lot, correct a little”. | | | | Parents, being the role models, are in the best |
| Look for the best in your kids. Much that we try, it | | | | position to empower their kids to have the skills for |
| does seem that we have a tendency to see | | | | success. It’s often the simple, everyday |
| what’s wrong with something rather than | | | | communication in our relationships that can make |
| what’s right, like the one stray sock in an | | | | such a difference to encouraging our kids to be |
| otherwise tidy bedroom. Whatever your kids are up | | | | confident, courageous and happy. |
| to, look for what’s good about them, and make | | | | |