Let's Celebrate! Affirming Our Children

Here's a blast from the past, an updated previous post:  
 
Sometimes we as parents see positive choices that our children make and don't take the time and energy to communicate our appreciation and/or excitement. While we were foster parents for teenage girls, I was inspired by a lecture by Cecil Burger, a therapist in Akron, Ohio, to celebrate good decisions our children make, positive change in their behavior, accomplishments as a result of hard work or persistence, etc.

He suggested we do something to affirm our children's accomplishments - from a complimentary word to throwing a party! When our girls were growing up, I kept a "goody box" that contained little things I had picked up here and there. When one of them made a difficult decision, showed an act of kindness, or some other outstanding action, I rewarded her with something from the goody box.

I also vowed to voice my praise whenever a complimentary thought came to mind. Why keep it to myself? What an encouragement to say it aloud!

My suggestion: acknowledge and affirm anything we want our children to repeat.

So what does this have to do with organizing? Organizing doesn't mean we are only intentional about where we keep our things, but how we live our lives. We are living our lives intentionally to create an atmosphere in which our children can thrive. We are being intentional about how we pass on our legacy by living out our passions, priorities and values.

More on intentional parenting:
Planning and Intentional Summer for Your Child
Creating Routines and Systems
An Intentional Christmas - Teach Your Child How to Give this Holiday Season