Yesterday, at my Better Parenting Skills workshop, we discussed things we say to our kids that will put their mind on the “right” track. As usual, we had a long discussion about parents’ rights, but I am ready for that discussion and after half an hour of examining “The parenting job description”, the next phase was things we can say to our kids that will set them up for a happy, healthy, successful life.

If I had to describe all the ideas that came out in the workshop, it would probably take me a whole day, but one idea was so wonderful I must share it with you.

One of the participants of the Better Parenting Skills workshop was a principal of a primary school. When his turn came to share parenting ideas, he said that his wife, who is a teacher, had realized the kids in her class had been sick too often. Although being sick had given them some Mommy or Daddy time at home for a while, they had missed out on lots of Friends time, Learning time and Active Play time. Not wanting her own two kids to miss these things either, she came up with an expression she keeps saying to them whenever they feel sick:

You’re really good at getting better

I loved it!

Think about it. It is so very catchy. I loved it so much. What a great belief to give kids (and grownups). It works better than a hug and a kiss, because hugs and kisses are temporary.

When someone says to you, “You’re really good at getting better”, he or she gives you a compliment.

When someone says to you, “You’re really good at getting better”, he or she accepts the fact that you may not feel good at the moment.

When someone says to you, “You’re really good at getting better”, he or she sends you the message “It’s only temporary” and builds your hope that it will get better.

When someone says to you, “You’re really good at getting better”, he or she is telling you that your quick recovery depends on you and inspires you to take action.

When someone says to you, “You’re really good at getting better”, he or she already makes you feel a little better and links getting better physically to feeling better emotionally, so you want to get better more quickly.

And the best thing is that when you are a kid and someone you appreciate, like Mom, Dad or one of your teachers says to you “You’re really good at getting better” enough times – you believe it!

Healthy parenting,
Ronit