A little insight for parents...

Here is some valuable insight for parents from internationally acclaimed clinical psychologist, parenting expert and author of the New York Times best selling parenting book, The Blessing of a Skinned Knee, Wendy Mogel. I hope readers find this information useful.


MYTHS ABOUT FOURTH GRADERS
by Wendy Mogel

1.  My child can distinguish between what she/he wants and what she/he needs.

2.  It is respectful and appropriate to continue all discussions with my child until she/he understands my rationale for what I want her/him to do...or not to do.

3.  Children need less sleep than they used to.

4.  Just like their bodies, children’s brains are maturing faster than they used to and are more ready to learn advanced math at earlier ages.

5.  Letting my child watch a PG-13 or R- rated movie won’t hurt---the parts she/he doesn’t understand will just go right over her/his head.

6.  In our fast paced world, it’s more important to schedule enrichment activities, lessons and tutors than to let my child waste time goofing around or daydreaming.

7.  In our fast paced world, it is more important to schedule enrichment activities, lessons, and tutors for my children than require he/she to do ordinary chores and help out at home.

8. Praise builds self-esteem.

9.  It is not good for my child to feel bored, unhappy, disappointed, sad, frustrated or left out.

10.  If we do things correctly, our children’s level of sexual interest should be about the same as ours was when we were growing up.