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1. TRY IT!<\/p>\n
Encourage your little one to experience new things, and learn to enjoy getting outside of their comfort zone. You may have to hold their hand at first, but don\u2019t be afraid to let go, and see how they do on their own. It\u2019s a big, beautiful world out there, and your child should grasp every opportunity to delight in it!
\n2. IT\u2019S YOUR CHOICE
\nGiving your child choices to make even early on in life will instill confidence in themselves. Knowing that they have choices, the freedom to choose, and your support all along the way is priceless.
\nYOU ARE SAFE AND LOVED
\nThis may seem an odd or clunky thing to say, but letting your kid know that they are safe when they are with you is pretty important. While ensuring their safety and happiness is always the goal as a parent, verbalizing it every once in a while shows how much they are valued, and reassures them of their security.<\/p>\n
4. YOU MAKE ME HAPPY
\nWhile it is true that our kids bring us endless joy, they sometimes cause a few headaches. We tend to only vocalize the times that they need to be quiet, or sit down, or go to bed. Instead, make a point to let your child know how happy they make you, and how you couldn\u2019t imagine a life without them.
\n5. I TRUST AND BELIEVE IN YOU
\nYour kids never grow out of needing your approval. So start early, and don\u2019t stop! This doesn\u2019t mean letting them do whatever they want, but rather boosting their confidence when they make good choices, and being open to discussing options with them. Your words can build them up or tear them down, and either way, eventually your kids will grow up find their place in the world. Don\u2019t you want to be the one who gave them their wings?<\/p>\n
6. HAVE A GREAT DAY, DON\u2019T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
\nYour kid is struggling to find their identity every day, and it\u2019s happening sooner than you think. In this fast paced world we live in, it seems the angsty teenage years start at 10! It\u2019s never too early to help build your child\u2019s identity, and help them figure out what values to hold on to. Reminding them of who they are and how special and important they are before they leave the house \u2013 well, that\u2019s just icing on the cake!
\nI\u2019ve now added the words \u201cYou are safe and loved!\u201d into my goodnight ritual for my son. I whisper these words softly in his ear before he drifts off to sleep. \u201cYou are safe and loved.\u201d I truly hope this quiet whisper creates a loud, infinite echo which lasts him long into adulthood.
\n7. MISTAKES HAPPEN
\nWhen I was a kid, I swear I spilled a glass of milk at least once a day. I cried every time. That\u2019s right, I literally cried over spilt milk. I\u2019m sure it got annoying, and I\u2019m sure when my parents started poking fun at me it was all in good humor. But I became so very self-conscience about my clumsy hands and my bumbling feet that I didn\u2019t want to hardly move for fear of knocking something over! Instead of getting upset over spilt milk, it is far more productive to teach your kids that mistakes happen, and it\u2019s how we deal with them that matters. You may even have an opportunity to show them how to handle a mistake in your own life!
\nI LOVE YOU
\nBecause you knew it had to be on this list somewhere, right?
\nThere are many ways to say \u201cI love you\u201d to your children, without actually uttering those three small-but-mighty words. Below are my seven favorite alternatives, which also double-duty as \u201cEmpowering Life Philosophies\u201d for raising kids who feel resilient \u2014 kids who feel deep inside themselves that they have what it takes to bounce back from life\u2019s assorted (and sordid!) challenges.
\nAfter all, let\u2019s face it. No matter how hard we all try to travel a bump-free path to happiness, life will always present its share of surprise potholes.<\/p>\n
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