Natural Parenting Newsletter Archives
offering choice to children
Hello friends
offering choice to children
We are each totally responsible for everything about our life.
Wow.
The Law of Attraction tells us that we have chosen all aspects of what we are living...whether we like it or not. As we let this sink in, and learn to work with this to attract more of what we like and less of what we don't like, we can delight in the powerful place this puts us...the power of choice.
How do we offer this to our children in balance with our desire to protect and guide them?
Choices for our children fall into three categories. The challenge is to rethink the distribution.
1. No choice at all.
This is the bottom-line type of choice. You, as the parent, feel totally unwilling to compromise on these issues, safety being the biggie. Write a list of your 'no matter what's'. Wearing seatbelts. Playing in the street. That sort of thing.
2. Buffet choices.
This is where kids get to choose between a limited number of options that you are offering. Would you prefer to brush your teeth now or after the story? Would you prefer to wash your hands with the bar of soap or the liquid? Which of these foods would you prefer for breakfast? Usually, there is some bottom-line involved (such as teeth must be brushed), but you can certainly offer flexibility with some aspect of it. Be careful about getting stuck here and only offering choices that really have no juice to them.
3. Real choices.
Many parents stop at number two and don't ever venture into this powerful and exciting place. We hold on so tightly. Some of the choices we offer children need to make us gulp. Let your kids wear whatever they want as soon as they are old enough to care or decorate their own rooms. What possibilities are you willing to consider that would foster your child's self expression and joy of living?
The language we use is also vital to empowering our little ones. Think about your own reaction when someone tells you 'You have to..." or even "I need you to....".
A more naturally respectful way to ask is with a request...."Would you be willing to..." or "Will you..." and talk about what is possible if they choose to accept your request.
When our children feel the thrill of making delicious choices for themselves, they actually increase their vibration and attract more joy. Same goes for you. It's like returning to our natural state, and the universe is totally on board with that.
Choice-full living is so much fun.
Blessings,
Kris
2007 kris laroche : all rights reserved