Toddlers in a restaurant? How do you make it work in your family? Here are some great ideas for you.

Dining Out With Children & Finicky Eaters

© Common Sense Parenting with Auntie Artichoke http://www.AskAuntieArtichoke.com

Dear Auntie Artichoke

We are working parents who eat out a couple of times a week and when our son was a baby it was fine, but now he is a toddler and it is no fun for anyone in the restaurant. Help?

Dear Working Mom

You are so right.  I love kids and usually enjoy being around them, but not when they are screaming hysterically or throwing silverware on the floor.  Here are some tips from other working families;

• Have a few games on your Ipad that your child is only allowed to play when he is sitting down.
• Have a bag of pipe cleaners in your purse and help him make figures and letters out of them. We used this one in church and the kids actually heard more when their fingers were occupied.
• One family brought an etch-a-sketch that was only used at restaurants.
• For a toddler in a high chair, put a few ice cubes on the tray.  Be careful they don’t put them in their mouth and swallow them.
• Bring along some small quiet toys or books.
• Order an appetizer so they will have something in their belly.
• Ask for a table or booth in the back of the room so there is not quite so much stimulation.

And here is a big one!  How about including them in the conversation, without allowing them to monopolize it? The more you talk, sing and read to your baby the smarter he will be.  One of the predictors of school success is vocabulary.  So ask him to repeat some of the words you are using and explain what they mean.

Oh yeah, one important thing…leave a big tip if he has scattered soda crackers on the floor or torn open the sugar packets.

Dear Auntie Artichoke

Our kids are so finicky about food.  They want the same old, same old every day and I don’t think they get the proper nutrition. Or even worse, they refuse to eat what is on their plate.

Dear Parents of Picky Eaters

Kids go through growth spurts and sometimes they really don’t need as much food.  As caring adults, we do not want them to grow up with the idea that cleaning the plate is necessary.  Always make sure you are serving reasonable quantities of food that is appropriate for their age and level of hunger.

Serve them much smaller portions and then when they ask for more give them half a serving and tell them they can always have more.  Here are some other ideas:

• Serve veggies first.  Also most children like frozen vegetables better than canned ones.
• Make mini-burgers.  Use refrigerator biscuits for hamburger buns.
• Give only as much as the years in their life.  So three green beans for a three year old. Four corn kernels for a four year old etc.
• Blend half a box of frozen spinach and add to spaghetti sauce.
• Put a couple of drops of food coloring in the masked potatoes.
• Let them eat dinner with toothpicks.

Children have likes and dislikes just like adults.  Just make sure that mealtime a social event that your child looks forward to, not a confrontational event to be avoided.

If you have enjoyed these tips, you will want to claim your free eBook at http://www.UseEncouragingWords.com   Judy Helm Wright aka “Auntie Artichoke” is a bestselling author, motivational speaker and wise woman with a global message of respect, responsibility and resilience.

 ©Judy Helm Wright aka “Auntie Artichoke” http://www.ArtichokePress.com  http://www.AskAuntieArtichoke.com

The definition of sibling rivalry is: Competition between siblings especially for the attention, affection, and approval of their parents.

Playing board games and other activities as a family can teach sportsmanship. Sibling rivalry can be a healthy way to learn life skills.

Conflict is normal and healthy

While some fighting is normal and healthy, there can be times when sibling rivalry is dangerous. If the fighting leads to severe physical violence, psychological distress, or marital problems between you and your spouse, then it is time to seek professional help. Your pediatrician or family doctor will be able to point you in the right direction.

World Isn’t Always Fair

Teach your children that the world isn’t always fair.  There are times when one child’s needs must take precedent in the family.  Help them to understand that next time; his needs will come first instead.

If it is an object or toy that causes the struggle set a schedule that they agree to and will abide by at a family meeting.  Help them understand that if the schedule does not work, the toy will be removed so neither can use it for a period of time. If you need assistance in setting up family meetings that work, see Kids, Chores & More on Amazon.

Teach Problem Solving Skills

While it may be common for brothers and sisters to fight, it’s certainly not pleasant for anyone in the house. Most families can only tolerate a certain amount of conflict before it becomes disruptive to daily life. Try to encourage them to resolve the crisis themselves. See them as capable individuals and you as a caring adult, not a referee or judge. If you do step in, try to resolve problems with your kids, not for them.

Help Them To Help Themselves

Unless there is a safety issue, try to allow them to work out their own issues.  Stepping in won’t teach your kids how to handle conflict and to negotiate a solution.  Here are some ideas that have worked  at various times in our family.

• Use a Timer.       Separate kids until they’re calm. Sometimes it’s best just to give them alone time and not immediately rehash the conflict. Refuse to listen until the emotions have died down. Otherwise, the fight can escalate again.
• Don’t Care Who Started it.          If you want to make this a learning experience, don’t put too much focus on figuring out which child is to blame. It takes two to fight — anyone who is involved is partly responsible.
• Aim For Win-Win.           Have them determine what is fair so that each child gains something. When they both want the same toy, perhaps there’s a game they could play together instead.
• Teach Them To Use Words Not Fists.        The more kids learn to name and claim their emotions, the more they will be able to discover what is really making them mad.
• Model Empathy and Kindness.                  If they see you getting angry over small things, they will feel justified in anger.  If you demonstrate empathy to others, it will be natural for them to be kind and respectful.

Remember, as kids cope with disputes, they also learn important skills that will serve them for life — like how to value another person’s perspective, how to compromise and negotiate, and how to control aggressive impulses. The sibling relationship is the longest running relationship in your life. No one knows how to push your buttons or pull your hair out like a little brother.  And no one has your back like him.

If you have enjoyed this article, please claim your free eBook at http://www.judyhwright.com

Dear Auntie:

Our son is a picky eater and it causes problems at the dinner table. My husband insists that he eat everything on his plate and cannot get up from the table until the whole family is through eating. Please help a frustrated mom.

Dear Frustrated Mom:

Picky eaters get that way for a variety of reasons.  Some kids are just more sensitive to taste, smell and texture. Being obstinate about trying new foods is more likely to occur when parents bribe, reward or make a big deal about what or how much is being consumed.  See http://www.DisciplineYesPunishNo.com for more information about guiding kids to better behavior.

If your family keeps healthy food around for snacks and makes an effort to have well balanced meals, your son will be fine.  If you can see that he is over-weight, under-weight or lacks energy, then talk to your pediatrician.

Plant positive thoughts and actions with affirmations. Just as you choose to put good food in your body, put good thoughts in your mind. Encourage your children to grow and harvest some of the food your family eats. www.AskAuntieArtichoke.com

There are so many lessons that are learned at the dinner table, food is almost the least important.  Studies show that families who enjoy dinner together on a regular basis do better in school and stay out of trouble more than kids who eat on an individual basis.  The key in that last sentence is enjoy.

Here are three ideas that might help keep dinner time more enjoyable:

1. Talk privately with your husband and get him to “ease up”  on the clean plate club. This type of discipline becomes a power struggle and no one wins. See if you can compromise by going along with staying at the table and having friendly conversation (not lecturing) together.
2.  If the quantity of food is overwhelming, try serving smaller portions. The better lesson to teach is “eat until you are full, and then stop eating.”  Our guideline was everyone had to eat at least three bites of each dish just to be polite.
3. Ask your son to help prepare the meals. If he can assist in the meal planning and preparation, he is more likely to eat it. Meal preparation and cleanup can be a really important time for connection and conversation.

Most children go through growth spurts where they are ravenous or may not be hungry.  Just make sure your child has plenty of options to choose from in healthy snacks and meals during the day and don’t worry so much. Don’t allow any of the family to fill up on empty calories.

His tastes will change as he matures too.  My husband did not like casseroles until we married and now he loves them.

“Auntie Artichoke” is a honorary title given to Judy Helm Wright, author and motivational speaker.  Auntie means a wise woman who loves unconditionally.  You will want to claim your free eBook on Using Encouraging Words at http://www.AskAuntieArtichoke.com

It was a complete joy to join in his fantasy. By standing on the ground and asking him to tell me what he could see through his imaginary telescope he brought me into his life. It is just one more suggestion to add to my collection of 77 Ways To Have FUN With Your Family For Free.

Nature Nurtures The Spirit & Builds The Body

Children who have the opportunity to play in nature have a heightened awareness of the world.  Being in nature helps them to recognize the cycles of life and the interdependence of plants, animals and humans.

They also have more advanced coordination, balance and agility.  When they are involved in physical play, they develop their lungs and muscles which means they are sick less often. Being in nature creates a resilient spirit and a bounce-back attitude.

No matter what age your child is, your job is to help him to help himself. One way is to teach resilient skills. Find more affordable and effective parenting books at http://amzn.to/kindlebyjudy

It has been shown that children with attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can concentrate better after taking a nature break to run and play outside in the fresh air.

5 Ways To Nurture With Nature

1. Walking together. Taking a hike with a child friend is a calming, cardiovascular-building opportunity to really “get things out in the open.”  When you are walking, things may come up in conversations that would not be possible in a face-to-face situation.  As you meander along a trial or sidewalk, you have a few minutes to ponder before you answer.
2. Awareness of the world.  Choose a color.  I like to choose the color of the shirt the child is wearing.  Now challenge him to find natural items that contain that color.  Talk about hues, shades and variations of color.  Help him to isolate colors in a multi-colored item like a leaf.
3. Bird watching.  Check out a book about birds from the library. Or better yet, an audio program of bird calls.  Go to the woods and just be quiet.  Help him appreciate the sound of silence.  Teach about meditating or quieting the soul.  Now watch for birds, insects and signs of other living things that live in that little corner of the universe.
4. Smell the scents of nature.  Let the adult be the secretary and write down all the smells of your yard and neighborhood.  Does fresh cut grass smell differently than the lawn?  What do different flowers smell like?  Why does the dirt in one area of the yard smell unlike another? Why do they have different textures? What is similar and what is dissimilar?
5. Clean along the river.  Water is the most soothing part of nature to most people.  As you mentor young children to make sure the banks and entryways into streams and lakes are clean and unpolluted, you teach a global lesson.  All water makes it’s way to the seas, just as each one of us has an impact on the lives of each other.  We live in a small, small world.

Your Environment Can Enrich

Being in nature helps kids with life’s stresses and assists them to problem-solve in new ways.  Resilient children can learn from the cycles of life, that good will follow bad and that life moves on.  A child who learns to turn to nature in times of stress or conflict will acquire life skills to assist him forever.

There is a peace and serenity to being in nature.  There is a special joy when a caring adult can share that space and time with a child, not teaching or preaching, but just being alive in a wonderful world.

You are invited to copy this article in your newsletter, blog or parenting tip sheet.  Please give credit to author Judy Helm Wright aka “Auntie Artichoke”  Be sure to claim your free ebook on Using Encouraging Words at http://www.AskAuntieArtichoke.com

All likeable people behave in certain ways.  They literally have a “magnetic” personality drawing others to them.  The advantages of being likeable are numerous, including higher grades and income, self-esteem, better health, longer life and happiness and well-being.

The best place to learn social skills is right in your home.Model and guide young people on cooperation, kindness and empathy.

Here are some simple tricks you or your child can do today to increase likeability.

1. Be helpful.  Studies show that “helpfulness correlates more strongly than any other attribute” with being well liked, says Haara Estroff Marno, author of Why Doesn’t Anyone Like Me?  Be aware of opportunities to help on a big scale, such as volunteering for projects and assisting others.  Give service and teach your child to look for small ways to help others on a daily basis.
2. Liking who you are.   When people feel good about themselves, they are more content and less likely to personalize every situation and comment. Develop a skill or hobby that makes you feel good and that brings joy, you don’t have to be perfect at it.  Just enjoying an activity and doing reasonably well will boost anyone’s self-esteem. Make it a habit to end every night on a positive. Either in a journal or verbally list five things you are grateful for or that you have succeeded at in the day.  Develop an attitude of gratitude.  Focus on the positive and celebrate and acknowledge your successes.
3. Say hello first.  Friendly people put others at ease.  Many people are hesitant to say hello because they fear rejection.  But think about it, have you ever gotten mad at someone who says hello to you?  Even if people don’t return the greeting, they may just be pre-occupied. There is an unofficial rule about customer service that can apply to life as well; smile if someone comes within 10 feet of you, greet with a word or nod anyone within 3 feet of you. Smile with your mouth and your eyes.  People who smile are perceived as friendly and approachable.  A smile says, “I like you.  You make me happy.  I am glad to see you.” To someone who has seen a dozen people frown, scowl or turn their faces away, your smile is like the sun breaking through the clouds.
4. Be aware of the message your appearance says about you.  Whether we like it or not, people are judged by they way they look and act.  If they look enough like everyone else, they will be more acceptable.  If they stick out, they risk not fitting in.  Those who develop their own unique style of dress must have the moxie and confidence to carry it off.  Then it is an attribute.  Your appearance, table manners, tone of voice and respect of space sends an instant message before you have a chance to explain who you are and to build a relationship.
5. Recognize the power of body language.   Verbal language is the language of information and is only recognized and remembered 20%.  Non-verbal or body language is the language of relationships and is acknowledged and remembered 80%.  If your body is not responding according to your message, no one will hear or believe what you say.  Practice and role-play so that your facial expressions, posture and hand movements are in accordance with the message you want to share with others.

We like someone because, we love someone although.

So give people a number of reasons to like you

(c) Judy Helm Wright aka “Auntie Artichoke”  the Storytelling trainer.  To schedule Auntie Artichoke for your organization call 406-549-9813

Dear Auntie: Our eight year old son hates to read. My husband gets impatient when he is trying to read with him at night.  Is reading really that important?

Auntie Artichoke: Yes, it is but so is a connected relationship between father and son. I was asked to review a book recently on this very subject.  It is called Boys and Reading  by Alison Roundtree  available at http://bit.ly/BoysAndReading  She has developed an astounding methods of engaging boys in reading that is enjoyable for the adult and child.

Parenting is a big job! Listen and learn from successful families. Mentor your child to be a healthy, self-sufficient responsible adult.

Reading is a cornerstone of school success. The child who struggles to read by the fourth grade will be unable to learn all the material presented in the upper grades.  It is very demoralizing  to feel at a disadvantage in school and life because of lack of reading skills.

Be an advocate for your child today.  There are fun resources to help boys learn to read.  By the way, girls like fiction but boys tend to enjoy technical or non-fiction more.  Good luck, I have confidence in you.

Dear Auntie:   How do you feel about teens working?  Our daughter wants to get a job after school.

Auntie Artichoke: In the economic times we are in right now, many families depend on their kids financing their own extra-curricular activities and clothing.  However, many teens are also scheduled so tight that there is no “down time” to just think, dream and meditate.

A rule that we developed when our teens were capable of organizing their time was 12 hours a week was maximum.  We found that any more time and something was bound to suffer.  Usually, that neglected aspect of life was either homework or family time.  10-12 hours is perfect to teach them punctuality, responsibility, and money management.

Judy Helm Wright aka “Auntie Artichoke” is the Global Director of Family Solutions for the Women’s International Network.  She is also a best-selling author, radio host, conference speaker and trainer for leaders and mentors for youth. Please join the community of kind, thoughtful people who want respect for all at http://www.ArtichokePress.com or http://www.judyhwright.com

Every teen misbehaves at some point or another. From talking back and slamming doors to ditching class and using profanity. It’s normal for teens to want to feel independent, but it’s not acceptable for them to act out in a negative manner. Don’t go to the extreme, however — sending them off to boarding school isn’t the answer.

It is important to assist your children to feel good about themselves and their contribution to the world. Teach self-esteem and confidence. Find more affordable and effective parenting books at http://amzn.to/kindlebyjudy

Here are 5 ways to correct your teens difficult behavior before their out-of-control antics becomes an even bigger problem and ruins your family:

• Listen Before You Talk

Now more than ever teens have the opportunity to make bad decisions: from violent video games, movies and TV shows. Teens and pre-teens are more exposed to profanity, violence and bad behaviors than in years passed. The basis for teaching values, compassion and empathy is best done while children are small.

It is our wish that parents are the number one influence on teens, but actually we come in third.  Media and peers are way above us as far as establishing guidelines.

Yes,  it’s a good idea to start teaching them right from wrong at an early age, but be aware that once they hit the teen years sometimes that advice goes out the window.

One of the best things you can do when your teen is acting out is to listen to them. Receive what they have to say, think or feel in a positive manner and resist the urge to judge or advise them. Your teen will be more open towards you in the future if you’re open to what he or she has to say, and you aren’t so criticizing.

• Don’t Let Your Teen Run the Ship

Don’t let your out-of-control teen take control of your entire family. Teens often take control of their home life because parents are afraid to assert power. Many are often afraid their authority could turn their teen towards a more rebellious attitude.

Remember this: you, the parents, control the home, not your teen. You’re responsible for making sure both your teen and your home are safe. Don’t be afraid to take some classes or talk to some counselors to gain control over the home again.

Ed Young’s book “Kid CEO How To Keep Your Children From Ruining Your Life” details the one fact that parents don’t want to admit: children take control of family units on a large scale. In Pastor Young’s book, he details the four crucial elements of successful parenting, helping you take back your home and help you deal with your child’s abnormal behavior. The elements are: knowledge, intimacy, discipline and structure.

• Encourage Positive Activities

At the first sign of trouble, encourage your teen to participate in after school activities. This can include sports teams like football, basketball, softball, cheer-leading, etc., or school clubs like the drama club, chorus, student government or crafting classes. You will want to check out my book on Building Self Confidence at http://amzn.to/kindlebyjudy

• Identify Causes Of Negative Behavior

If your teens behavior has drastically changed, identify the cause. More often than not, severe switches in personality don’t happen out of the blue: it’s a cause-and-effect situation, according to Dr. Phil. Being the parent, it’s your responsibility to find the root of the behavior change and help your teen change it.

• Be the Parent, Not Best Friends

Especially with teen girls, mothers will want to act like the best friend instead of the parent. By not parenting your daughter, you’re giving her free range to act out without consequences. Be sure to read the earlier post on Dads and Daughters To ensure the safety and well-being of your child, it’s your responsibility to dish out consequences when needed and, most importantly, to not act like the best friend.

© Judy H. Wright aka Auntie Artichoke, family and relationship coach

Do your kids think you have too many rules?  Do they push the limits and boundaries of respect and tolerance for others?

Do they understand your value system and incorporate kindness in their daily lives, or just in front of you?

Perhaps you have had similar conversations that started like these in order to teach respect and kindness for others.

 “What’s the matter with that word, they say it all the time on television?”

“We were only teasing her, we didn’t mean it.”

You will want to go to http://amzn.to/kindlebyjudy for affordable parenting books to help you teach social skills to your children.

 

 Clear Message of Respect

Though children and young adults will get mixed or conflicting messages from the television, magazine and friends, they need you to set and enforce clear, respectful rules and limits. They need to know that you expect them to do and be their best not just to please adults, but because it is the right thing to do.

Respect Is Real

You cannot fake respect for others.  Kids have a built in BS radar.  They are very aware of adult’s moods, attitudes and belief systems.  If we want them to practice kindness and respect for others, you must show respect and kindness to them.

Children are natural imitators.  Chances are very good they will associate with the same type of people you associate with. If you are bigoted, angry and mistrustful of others they probably will grow up to feel and do the same things. It is the responsibility of caring adults to teach by word and deed that most people are good, kind and valuable.

By providing this guidance you will help them learn how to be responsible, contributing members of society.

Consistent boundaries within the family are pretty predictable;

Consistency in discipline is the number one factor in successful families: It is important that love, respect, cooperation and expectations are unconditional and not dependent on circumstances or behavior.

 Here are some common boundaries and rules of respect your family may have;

1. The car will not start until the seat belt clicks. We obey the law.
2. Parents must always know the 4 Ws before they are allowed to leave with friends. WHO are the friends, WHERE are they going, WHAT are they doing, and WHEN will they be home.
3. We do not speak in derogatory ways about anyone. We accept others where they are in life, not where we want them to be.
4. There is never just one way to solve a problem.  Listen to other viewpoints and be willing to learn.
5. Life always goes better when we follow the Golden Rule. Treat others as you would like to be treated.

Consistent boundaries and standards give a child and the whole family a feeling of security and safety. It is within this safe environment that self-discipline and life skills begin to flourish and develop.

Be Partners with Schools and Community Organizations

 As a community, as well as a family, we need to give consistent messages to our children concerning dangerous, unacceptable and unkind behavior. When they understand hateful teasing or name calling is not acceptable it will be easier for them to forgo temptation to participate.

We live in a society that often encourages stress, anger and rude behavior.  Be very careful that in the grip of daily life you do not pass on messages by your actions, attitudes or words that you would not like your child to follow.

It is our responsibility as adults to help them learn and live by the basic rule that actions have consequences. By teaching and enforcing family, school and community rules, you teach respect and tolerance for all.

Thank you for doing a good job

You are doing the most important job in the world, raising self-disciplined, thoughtful and contributing children.  Thank you for your time and effort.  We will all be blessed by having members of society who work within a framework of acceptable behavior.

This article was written just for you by Judy H. Wright, author and international speaker on parenting and family issues. Feel free to share with friends and associates, but please include this resource and contact box. For a full listing of books, articles, tele-classes and workshops go to  http:// www.ArtichokePress.com You may also sign up there for FREE articles and Newsletters having to do with “finding the heart of the story in the journey of life” by clicking on   http://www.AskAuntieArtichoke.com    You will be glad you did and so will we.

Keywords: Boundaries, respect, kindness, children, parents, parenting, family, adults, consistent, rules, consequences, discipline, Judy H. Wright, Auntie, Artichoke Press,

You can make the choice to be more self-confident and assured. It is your responsibility to increase confidence.

Imagine your life as a journey with many crossroads, detours and alternate routes as you head towards your destiny.  I truly believe that each one of us is born with a destiny plan and a mission on this earth. As I work with global families, I stress the importance of keeping a mental image of confident success as you struggle to learn the daily tasks of life.

As humans travel along the journey of life, it is natural to encounter obstacles and roadblocks. Many of us get “stuck in the mud” and can’t figure out what to do, so it is easier to just stay stuck. Developing alternate plans or routes will help get you back on track.

The Universe Rewards Positive Movement

The most important movement towards confidence is to make a decision and then move on that decision.  If you make a decision and commitment to move forward towards the kind of life you desire, then doors will open and miracles will happen to help you.

Many times the biggest hindrances to getting where we want to go are our old beliefs and traditions which no longer serve us. If old tapes are playing in your mind about lack, limits or inadequacies, then take them out, examine them and see if they are even true.

You may be operating on a set of values that your parents taught you which was necessary for them right then, but certainly not for you now.  You are a capable adult and have the ability and responsibility to lead a fulfilling and happy life.

 Overcome Self-Imposed Limits

Our creative powers and authentic selves may become stifled and held back because we are afraid to look foolish or risk rejection. Here are some suggestions on overcoming self-imposed limitations.

1.   Meet fear head on:   Ask yourself what is the worst thing that can happen if you take action. If it isn’t death or the world coming to an end, then just do it.

2. Mask negative self-talk:Avoid self-defeating thoughts and self-talk. If you think you are no good at math, you will avoid opportunities to learn new techniques that could help you in your life. Perhaps you just had a math teacher who explained problems in a different learning style.  Ask someone to explain it again in a new way.  Pay attention to what you are telling yourself and simply override the thought with a more positive message.

3. Use positive affirmations:   Affirmations are powerful statements to your sub-conscious brain that counter attack all the negative self-talk.  For a downloadable mp3 you will want to experience Affirmations For Action available at http://www.ArtichokePress.com   

4. Manage the parts of a problem:Avoid being overwhelmed with change of behavior or problem-solving. Break it down into manageable parts and then solve each section before moving on to the next. I have found that if I can do a task for 10 times in a row, it becomes automatic action. I used this method to learn different programs on my computer.

5. Move forward with the end in site: Create a clear picture in your mind of what you want to accomplish. What will it look, feel, taste, smell, and sound like when you accomplish your goal? Keep that vision in your mind and work toward it each day. Remember the Universe rewards movement.

6. Model what others have done:Is there someone who has already done what you would like to do? Then ask them for input and adapt the suggestions that feel right to you. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Your situation may be unique, but there are many life skills that you can learn from others that are applicable to all members of the human race.

7. Mind map solutions:Put your ideas on paper and be open to inspiration. Build a flow chart, diagram, or mind map in order to see the big picture and all the components that will be necessary to accomplish your goal.

Choose Confidence and Success

While your background and experiences may have had some influence on who you were, You are fully in charge of who you are going to be.

I am confident in your ability to overcome your mental obstacles to confidence and success. You have a message the world is waiting to hear.  If you need assistance overcoming social anxiety you will want to check out http://www.AnxietyandFear.org   You will be glad you did.

Thank you for being a part of our community of kind, thoughtful people who want respect for all. Be sure to claim your free ebook on Using Encouraging Words.

We Are Hardwired For Success

For instance; “I can do it” is certainly stronger than “I can’t do it.” Contrast that to “I choose to do it” which sounds more powerful and sure. The strongest is “I am going to do it! I will start right now and practice it every day until it becomes automatic action.”

Commit to Confidence

Making a decision that you can do something is great but making a commitment and an action plan is even better.  The Universe rewards action.  When you move forward, you will find assistance, guidance and doors opening for you.  Life actually becomes easier once you move in a forward direction.

In my many books and articles available at http://www.ArtichokePress.com  you will find the words to say to bring about positive change.  I do this because sadly, many people have told me that they need the specific words and phrases because they have never heard them.

Phrases To Increase Self-Esteem and Confidence

Here is a list of 15 encouraging words and phrases that will assist you or your child to keep trying and increase self-esteem and confidence.

1. “I like the way you handled that.”
2. “Wow, you really thought out the solution to that problem.”
3. “I have faith in your ability.”
4. “I appreciate what you did.”
5. “You are really showing improvement.”
6. “I know you will figure out a good way to do it next time.”
7. “You don’t have to be perfect. Effort and improvement are important.”
8. “I trust you to be responsible.”
9. “It must make you proud of yourself when you accomplish something like that.”
10. “You are a valuable part of the team.”
11. “It is okay to make a mistake, we all do. What do you think you learned from it?”
12. “How can we turn this into a positive?”
13. “I’m proud of you for trying.”
14. “I’ll bet by next year you will be able to handle it, you just need to grow a little.”
15. “I know you are disappointed that you didn’t win, but you’ll do better next time.”

Say Your Encouraging Words With Emotion

The stronger the positive statements spoken with emotion and deep meaning, the more the sub-conscious mind believes you and works to make it come true. That is why affirmations work. You are repeating positive statements with feeling and emotion.

Claim a copy of the audio book Affirmations For Abundance  at http://www.ArtichokePress.com and listen to it daily for 21 days as you commute to work or walk around the park.  You will see a big difference in your belief system and inner confidence.

You deserve the best and I am confident in your ability to impact the world by influencing others to make wise choices through the use of encouragement and attracting the positive.

Join our community of kind, thoughtful people who want respect for all at http://www.ArtichokePress.com