|
Is
Your Child Too Focused on Self?
Overcoming
Selfishness Some parents are frustrated because their children
are so self-focused that they can't seem to grasp the concept
of honoring others. How can you help children think about
other people instead of always thinking about themselves?
One helpful
way is to teach kids to recognize emotions in others and then
know how to respond accordingly. One dad wanted to work on
honor with his seven-year-old daughter, Diane, who was self-centered,
always talking and thinking about herself. He used a journal
and, in the evening, asked Diane to identify examples of a
friend or family member who was sad, glad, or mad that day.
Then he asked the question, "How might you respond to that
person in a helpful way?"
They
continued this exercise every evening for two weeks. After
awhile it helped Diane get outside of herself, look at the
needs and feelings of others, and then talk about ways to
respond with honor. When her brother is mad, it might be best
to leave him alone or to just ask a helpful question. With
her friend who is sad, she could offer to help and then listen
empathetically. When Mom is glad, Diane could enter into that
gladness by listening to the story and enjoying the situation
too.
This
parenting tip is taken from the book, "Say Goodbye to Whining,
Complaining, and Bad Attitudes, In You and Your Kids." Go
to www.effectiveparenting.org
for more information.
|
