tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3448236159202037368.post2147820325075516269..comments2023-10-29T00:37:13.636-07:00Comments on Just Your Average American Family: Mommy, I can do hard things.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3448236159202037368.post-61396007368251344082011-09-18T08:00:21.351-07:002011-09-18T08:00:21.351-07:00I think it's fantastic to instill in your chil...I think it's fantastic to instill in your children the belief that they can try hard things.<br /><br />We are helping my wife's teenage sister and her friend get set up for college this term, and because neither of them have ever been trusted with any responsibility, have never had anyone in an authority position believe they could do anything, and have never been forced to do much of anything for themselves, we are really having to work to motivate them to do this, keep them believing that it's possible (our educational and financial systems don't exactly make it simple), and keep forcing them to do it themselves, instead of just relying on us to tell them what to do. They wanted us to choose what classes they should take, even.<br /><br />Let your kids believe they can do anything. Let them TRY to do anything. Give them guidance and advice and help them to do things themselves when they need help, but let them try something crazy and get hurt a little and realize that the world didn't end, it just stung a little, and life goes on. Help them to do something that's really difficult for them (like putting the chain back on), and see it through until they get it - for patience and perseverance. I know, having been a perfectionist and kind of towards the top of the class in terms of learning as a child, that if I couldn't get something immediately, I would tend to give up.<br /><br />Anyway, keep on! One day you'll look back and think "wow, look how well our boy can deal with life!"<br /><br />Cheers!portlandize.comhttp://portlandize.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3448236159202037368.post-10363963065335157432011-08-02T08:47:07.722-07:002011-08-02T08:47:07.722-07:00Love it! Two very special boys and both can do ha...Love it! Two very special boys and both can do hard things, but hard is a different word for each of them. You are a great teacher to both of them! Love you!Razzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02364201872942137175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3448236159202037368.post-10691786356142510922011-08-02T06:13:35.723-07:002011-08-02T06:13:35.723-07:00This made me tear up. Both of your children are am...This made me tear up. Both of your children are amazing, which they got from their amazing parents.queeniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11152862494728295730noreply@blogger.com