Reminders from your child: Parenting tips...from your child

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Several years ago, I read a print-out posted on a bulletin board at my daughter’s school titled “Reminders from Your Child.”  The print-out was essentially a list of parenting tips and advice from the perspective of a child. 

Below are a few of the reminders that were on the list – as well as a handful that I came up with on my own (most are my own and, unfortunately, I don’t remember exactly which ones I borrowed).

• Avoid spoiling me. I know quite well that I don’t need everything that I ask for – I am only testing you. 

• Encourage healthy habits. It’s difficult to become physically fit when you allow me to sit in front of the TV, day after day, with a bag of chips and a soda. 

• Avoid bailing me out of trouble each time I make a mistake – sometimes I need to experience the pain of consequences. 

• Sometimes it’s difficult for me to express my feelings. Please be patient...and teach me coping-skills that I can use to help me during my most stressful moments. 

• Be approachable when I need someone to talk to. If you are not, then I will seek comfort in someone who is. 

• Shelter me from toxic people.  I have no use for them in my life and neither should you. 

• Never speak poorly of my other parent…it makes me feel “defective” since I, myself, am half of that parent. 

• Involve yourself in my education – because if you don’t care about it, then neither do I. 

• Encourage me to join a team, organization, club, or activity. My self-esteem will improve and I will learn valuable life lessons. 

• A little humor goes a long way.  I’d like you to try it once-in-a-while to lighten the mood. 

• Catch me being good. Just like you, I like to be told when I am doing good. 

• Be the parent. There’s no reason that I should have more control in this family than you. 

• Accept me as I am.  I may not be perfect, but I am an extension of you…and I have certainly accepted you. 

• Be patient with me.  I may frustrate you at times, but I am doing the best I can with what I have. 

• Let me be silly sometimes. I know that it can be annoying, but I am having fun. 

• Be the best role-model that you can be. You may not be a sports hero or a rock star, but I look up to you and learn a lot from how you act and treat others. 

• Love me. I know it’s difficult at times, but I love you.