27-Feb-2011

Roots and Wings

Guiding Children with Love

In nature, as well as child-rearing, the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree. So how can you ensure that your child isn’t going to turn into either a nut or a spoiled apple? Children need the sunshine of unconditional love and some “rabbit-proof” fencing based on simple, yet solid boundaries. Just as a maturing tree needs pruning from time to time, children need loving guidance to realize their potential.

Teaching manners, quiet “inside voices” and keeping children focused gives them an experience of being contained. Help them use their bountiful, bubbly energy to create, write or draw and encourage them to run, jump and “spread their wings” when they need to move their bodies. Shine unconditional love as you provide clear boundaries, always applying discipline to the action and not to the child. Communicate with your heart and watch your child flourish like a strong sapling with roots well-planted and dreams reaching for the sky!

Recommended Read: Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason by Alfie Kohn