Stand-Up Kids

Today's topic is CHOICE.

"Learning to chose is hard. Learning to choose well is harder. And learning to choose well in a world of unlimited possibilities is harder still, perhaps too hard."

If learning to choose is hard, how can we teach kids to be better decision-makers? Can parents and guardians help? Leave your thoughts and ideas in the comments.

Quote from "The Paradox of Choice - Why More is Less" by Barry Schwartz

The last 10 months have presented unimaginable challenges for parents and a return to what we knew as normal seems nowhere in sight. But we have to keep moving forward, right?

The Love and Logic Institute, Inc. is teaming up with Dr. Daniel Amen to offer a free webinar that will offer ideas and solutions that support parents and families during this stressful time.

Learn more here:

Parenting During Uncertain Times - Virtual Seminar Join us on LIVE January 12th at 8:00pm – 10:00pm EST (5-7PM PST) for a FREE online seminar that will help you parent during uncertain times.

Our kids are having to make a lot of adjustments during this time. Most everything they know has been up-ended and they're dealing with social isolation at a time when they should be exploring new tribes.

Super-excited for this panel that that will include an insightful expert on teen behavior and anxiety Dr. Lisa Damour. This free event should be a great opportunity to learn how to support the teens in your life.

Teens, COVID and Coping - Well Beings This livestream will begin on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 8 pm EST The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the lives of America’s young people, who now face uncertainty in almost every aspect of life and the constant stress of social isolation. To address some of the most pressing mental health issues ...

A useful article with great info from Damour Lisa Ph.D. on how to maintain a sense of normalcy for kids during this challenging time.

Below are some key takeaways. Share your thoughts, strategies, wins in the comments.

1. Let kids know it's perfectly normal and OK to feel anxiety right now. Most people are. Help them find ways to deal with it.

2. Communicate honestly about the situation in an age appropriate way. Help kids understand the facts and why its important that we're doing what we're doing. Help them find balance in thinking, hearing and talking about what's happening right now.

3. Help them find positive distractions. As much as you can: give them things to do, spend time together, play games, draw, watch TV, read, rest.

4. Kids need structure. Create a daily schedule that works for YOUR family and includes both tech AND tech-free downtime. Allowing kids to have input on the schedule ups the odds of agreement.

Is Structure key to maintaining a sense of Normalcy during Coronavirus Pandemic in the World? - Sarajevo Times   Parents and children are facing major life disruptions with the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). School closures, physical distancing, it’s a lot to take in and it’s difficult for everyone in the family. We sat down with expert adolescent psychologist, best-selling author, monthly ...

Dealing with Disappointment: Few among us will escape the impact of the Coronavirus, especially as communities and organizations take important precautions by canceling travel and events. This can be particularly hard on kids as classes, school trips/activities and sports leagues are suspended.

In this article, Katie Hurley, LCSW gives some great tips for helping your kids deal with disappointment. Here’s a sneak peek: Empathy - Guide/Don’t Fix - Manage Expectations.

How to Help Kids Cope with Disappointment | Parenting Tips & Advice | PBS KIDS for Parents Disappointment can be a good thing, especially when kids learn how to recover and handle it.

A sense of personal worth and significance, without being the center of attention, is an important foundation for a child's life-long emotional health and well being.

Here are are few meaningful ways to instill these feelings.

Feeling loved
is a basic human need and essential for children.

In what special ways do you show your children they're loved?

Are you planning to help your kids balance their screen time this summer? How so?

Common Sense Media offers a few suggestions to consider including phone-free family time at meals, a great way to model desired behavior.

Start Your Summer Screen-Time Rules Now! Nip screen-time excesses in the bud with summer screen rules that start today. Advice from Common Sense Media editors.

I think we can agree that compliments, especially when specific make us feel capable and confident and generally result in positive feelings toward the person making the observation.

Imagine the impact it has on kids when adults in their lives take time to acknowledge specific positive competencies.
Consider this example: "I notice you picked up your toys without being asked. I really appreciate how much more fun we can have together when we're not arguing about that. I love you."

Do you experiment with this? What has been your experience?

Without conflict how will our kids learn?
The truth is, life is hard sometimes. When tempted to step in consider instead stepping back so lessons can be learned when the price tags are small.

Stop Solving Your Kid's Problems While your girl might need guidance to handle conflict—and it might take more time to get things resolved than if you jumped in—the confidence and skills she’ll gain in being able to weather her own storms will be worth it

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to deliver a good lecture or unsolicited advice especially with kids? Do either tend to result in the desired reaction?

Next time try something different and experiment with these tips.

Has your teen asked for Snapchat?

If you've made the decision to allow it All Pro Dad provides some great talking points to explore how things can go wrong.

And visit YouTube for a video on the basics of how it works.

Snapchat Beginner's tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXEuhuIhAd0

Dangers of Snapchat | All Pro Dad Snapchat is currently the most popular social media platform among teens. All Pro Dad shares the dangers of Snapchat and what to do to protect your kids.