Being there for your kids - Are You Raising Capable Kids?

Starting point is 00:00:04 I'm Dr. John Robinson, and this is Teachable Moments. I have a question for you today. What does it take to raise capable kids? Parenting is the hardest, most time-consuming job for which we all have almost no training. What do we do? We try to parent just like our parents did for us if we had a good role model. We tried a parent just opposite of how our parents did for us if our parents failed us. Or we just wing it.

Starting point is 00:00:31 Not many good options. My friend and colleague, Emily Graham, the ultimate Mighty Mom, shared with me her wisdom about effective parenting. Go to her website, MightyMoms.net, and find a full article, how to help your child build confidence and independence every day. So, my daughter, Rachel, was then just five years old when she demanded that I take the training wheels off her two-wheeler. I can do it, Daddy. She bawled her tiny fists and stomped her feet. Just watch me. She had been tooling around on her bike with training wheels for a while now.

Starting point is 00:01:03 She noticed other older kids in the neighborhood without training wheels and wanted to be just like them. I was hesitant, feeling the worst, but she looked so cute as she worked herself up about it. Okay, darling, I relented. Let's give it a try. I got my toolbox and sat down on the sidewalk to get the training wheels off her bike. I asked her to hand me tools as I completed the task. Afterward, Rachel beamed, my own bike, just like you, Daddy. We can ride bikes together after you get the hang of it, I encouraged. Want to try?

Starting point is 00:01:33 With the actual task at hand, Rachel's confidence ebbed. She got on her bike as I steadied it. Her feet didn't yet reach the ground, so she balanced on the pedals as I held on to keep her from tipping over. Ready? Let's go. I began to push her while still holding on to the back of her seat. Rachel peddled. Don't let go, Daddy. Hold the bike tight. She directed and cautioned as she peddled.

Starting point is 00:01:56 I did so for a while and then gently let go, continuing to trot after her. Rachel succeeded in riding her bike without training wheels. I cheered her on. However, I failed to go over the details of successfully stopping the bike ride. Rachel slowly edged over to the curb without braking and then fell onto the grass between the curb and the sidewalk. She started to tear up. Great fall, sweetheart, right between the curb and sidewalk. I'm so proud of you. Rachel stopped tearing up and began to beam. She had expected me to comment on her failing to balance her bike, rather than on how well. well, she fell off her bike. Emily Graham's article helps parents focus on the process, not the outcome, when monitoring their children.

Starting point is 00:02:39 Such comments encourage children to build confidence and independence while continuing their journey. Along the way, she addresses daily micro-habits for children to build confidence in independence and answers common questions parents have about raising healthy kids. In my new book, The Healing Journey, overcoming adversity on the path of the good life, I share stories of patients overcoming their stuckness and learning how to soar using the intelligent psychotherapy techniques of mindfulness, positive psychology, and cognitive behavioral interventions.

Starting point is 00:03:10 Learning to soar through life's challenges enhances self-confidence and independence daily. Buy your copy of my new book on AmazonBooks.com. If my comments stir questions of your own, contact me through my website at www. www.org.org.com or email me at John Robinson, 0.com.7000. zero at bell south.net. I'm Dr. Jonathan C. Robinson, licensed clinical psychologist and author of Teachable Moments, Building Blocks of Christian Parenting and my new book, The Healing, The Healing, Overcoming Adversity on the Path to the Good Life. Blessings, Dr. John. Teachable Moments, Building Blocks of Christian Parenting is available online at Amazonbooks.com and in

Starting point is 00:03:51 local and national bookstores. More on Dr. Robinson at TMC-P-I-N-C.com.

Being there for your kids - Are You Raising Capable Kids?

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