Being there for your kids - Developing Your Child's Growth Rhythm

Episode Date: June 14, 2020

As important as the 3R's of schooling are, and adding to the list the fourth "R," the goal of parenting our kids through their school experience is helping them build character and develop a growth rhythm. That's what serves them best in being all they can be as an adult. Being a good role model, helping them make good decisions, teaching them about putting their energies into what's most important are all ingredients to good character and a good growth rhythm. Our kids find 80% of their personality in their interactions with us, only 15% with their peers, and just 5% on their own. How we are with our kids will define how they will be with others. Are you up to the task?

Hi, I'm Dr. John Robinson, and this is Teachable Moments. Recently, I posted my top 10 tips for homeschooling success, whether it's just helping with homework or being full-time homeschooled teacher to your kids. Now I am elaborating on each item on the list. Parenting tip number six is this. Building character and developing a growth rhythm sets the tone. Yeah, it's up to you the parent to supervise, if not teach your child, as they plow through the school year. Yeah, that means staying on time.

of reading, writing, and arithmetic lessons. Yeah, the fourth R of schooling is relationship, but now we are looking at the goal of your efforts. Do you just want Little Ali to be able to check all the boxes at test time? Do you only want to have an exceptional relationship with your child? Or is your ultimate goal of parenting to mold another person who can make a difference in this world by being a person of upstanding character and purpose? In my book, Teachable Moments, building blocks of Christian parenting, I share with readers that we want to raise our kids to be independent, responsible, community-minded adults. Helping them in building character and developing a growth rhythm sets the tone to achieve that goal. Okay, Ali, time to get

started on your homework. Keisha encouraged her fourth grader. Oh, Mama, he began to protest. Just let me finish this YouTube video. I'll tell you what. Why don't you pause it right there so that when you have finished all your homework, you can pick it right back up where you left off. But, Ali started. Now, sweetheart, Keisha set the tone. What part of now don't you understand? She picked up the remote and paused what he was watching. So, there is a place for understanding, compassionate, but tough love as you raise your child. Several pieces of wisdom come to mind.

Always make room for what's most important to you. First work, then play. Measure twice, cut once. Choose smarter over faster. Share the load. More hands, less work. Reward effort. I'm sure there are more that you can add to this list.

Each of these tidbits help build your child's character, not only what he says and does, but also who he is now and will become as an adult. They also help him develop a growth rhythm, that is, prioritizing his time and effort on things that will help him reach his goals and grow into the best of who he is. You are pivotal in your child's journey. Research shows that 80% of your child's personality comes from his interactions with you. Only 15% comes from his peer group, and just 5% is unique to him. No pressure, but helping him build character and develop a positive, meaningful growth rhythm, sets the tone for how he lives his life. I'm Dr. Jonathan C. Robinson, licensed clinical psychologist, and Christian author of Teachable Moments Building Blocks of Christian Parenting. And this has been Teachable Moments. Teachable Moments Building Blocks of Christian Parenting is available online at AmazonBooks.com

and in local and national bookstores. More on Dr. Robinson at TMCP-I-N-C.com.