| 1. Spend time with your kids. We spell love L-O-V-E. | | | | in their lives teach them how the world works.Three |
| Children and teens spell it T-I-M-E. The myth that the | | | | of the most important things we need to know and |
| quality of time is more important than the quantity of | | | | are taught so little about are:how to have a |
| time spent with children is just that - a myth.We | | | | successful love relationship;how to be an effective |
| would not buy this lie if a surgeon told us, "I was not | | | | parent;and how to make and manage money.If you |
| able to spend as much time as I would have liked on | | | | don't know how to teach these things, then learn |
| your surgery, but the few moments I did spend was | | | | how. Showing your children how the world works |
| really quality time."We want both quantity and quality. | | | | demonstrates love because it imparts values to them. |
| So do our kids. I've worked with many people who | | | | If you don't do it, there are plenty of people in the |
| have provided everything for their children except | | | | world who will, but they may have an agenda that |
| themselves. How nice and big your house looks from | | | | does not include the best interests of your children.4. |
| the outside is much less important to your kids than | | | | Love your spouse. The first place your kids learn |
| how it feels to be on the inside of your home.One of | | | | how to love another person is by watching you. Do |
| the best ways to spend time with your children is to | | | | your kids see affection or disrespect?5. Watch your |
| let them lead. Set aside the time, and then do what | | | | words. The words we speak to our children can be |
| they would like to do. Let them lead. You could find | | | | encouraging or discouraging, a blessing or a curse. I've |
| yourself doing things that look funny, but so | | | | worked with many clients whose entire self-image |
| what?Set dates with your children. Block out a chunk | | | | was centered on what their parents told them about |
| of time, and protect it just as you would an | | | | themselves.I know competent people who deep |
| important business meeting.2. Discipline your children. | | | | down believe they are losers because they were told |
| Discipline is not just spanking or grounding, though | | | | so by their parents. A single word or phrase can last |
| there is a place for both. Disciplining is loving | | | | a lifetime.If you have spoken words that were less |
| correction. If you are not able or are not willing to | | | | than a blessing to your children, clean it up. Apologize. |
| discipline your children, you might consider whether | | | | Have the conversation. Tell them you do not see |
| you really do love them. Disciplining your kids is not | | | | them that way, and then show them that you |
| fun, but it is love.The child who grows up in an | | | | don't.If you are having trouble finding words to bless |
| anything-goes, my-kid-can-do-no-wrong kind of home | | | | your children, start with: "I'm so glad you are my |
| grows up with weak choice muscles when it comes | | | | child, because ..." and then go from there. It's also |
| to right and wrong. Teach your kids the difference | | | | important to back up your words with actions.Visit |
| between making good choices and making bad | | | | for tips and tools for creating and growing a great |
| choices. You make bad choices, and bad things | | | | relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 |
| happen; make good choices, and good things happen. | | | | day e-program on how to enrich your relationship |
| Teach this and model this, because it's the real | | | | today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff |
| world.3. Show your kids how the world works. Most | | | | Herring. |
| of the successful people I know have had someone | | | | |