Tip of the Day: April 15, 2008

[Hoppy]

From www.screamfree.com

Quote of the Day: "Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body."
— Seneca, Roman dramatist, philosopher, & politician (5 BC - 65 AD)
http://www.screamfree.com/resources/partners/template/images/hal_runkel.jpg Hal's Take: Muscles grow when they are forced to work. We know that fact, as evidenced by the number of gym memberships in this country. The same principle holds true for our minds and the minds of our children. By shielding your child from difficulty, whether it be in the classroom, playground, or the home, you are actually handicapping their chances to grow. The next time you think of the phrase “no pain, no gain”, don’t just think of leg warmers and spin classes, think about your child and the way in which they develop. Real growth is tough. It’s messy. It hurts. It takes trial and error. When you see your child struggling with something, take a deep breath and realize what is really going on. Your child is being presented with a chance to grow stronger. Don’t deprive them of that great opportunity just because you can’t handle your own anxiety.

Hal Runkel, LMFT, author of ScreamFree Parenting:
Raising Your Kids by Keeping Your Cool.

[Dream]

"Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body."
Great quote.


Sometimes this is so hard to watch. My kids have been through some crazy difficult things. I really do think it makes them think different. If I could change it I would ,but maybe it has made them stronger people and thats a good consolation.

[Hoppy]

I struggle with anxiety every day and it is so difficult for me to watch my kids struggle. This is something I need to work on. I realize that I have to stop hovering and let them spread their wings. It is just so hard, though.

[Dream]

Hoppy your post made me think of what seems like slow motion falls kids have.
You just stand there and try to catch them but it seems you can never be fast enough.
Then we have to fix the boo-boos.:(

[Hoppy]

:ita:

[Busty Vixen]

I've learned so much about life from my children.

My kids love to run. They do it with such abandon- arms out, faces to the sun, hair flying in the wind and smiles across their faces.

Before they could run, they had to learn to walk. And learning to walk, they fell down a lot. We both shed some tears when they fell.

I could have carried them and they never would have fallen. When they got too big and my back broke- I could have put them in a wheelchair and pushed them- and they never would have fallen.

And they never would have run.

[Busty Vixen]

Damn y'all. :cry2: I wrote some of that non-rhyming poetry there.

[Lady LaRue]

That was beautiful, Busty. :crytissue: