Parenting doesn’t come with a manual. We all already know this, though we often wonder “WHY NOT!”. We’d all raise great kids if that was the case.
I know a lot of people say they will raise their kids how they were raised. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I also know people who vow to go the complete opposite route of how they were raised.
Me. I think I took the middle of the road approach when it came to raising my kids. Some things my parents did, I thought were great while some of their methods needed to stay in the past and never see another generation.
I think my kids came out okay. I didn’t have all the answers and I made mistakes along the way but, all in all they are well rounded and delightful humans.
Sitting down and reflecting, I noticed that there are some basic patterns and habits made parenting easy and successful for me and it’s something I see in other households with relatively balanced kids. I think Dr. Todd Cartmell figured it out enough to write a book about it called, “8 Simple Tools for Raising Great Kids”.
After reading the book, I had a “A-Ha” moment, “so that’s what I’ve been doing all along”. And again, I don’t have all the answers and I’ve made mistakes but looking at my kids, I did something right or maybe 8 things right as it turns out according to Cartmell.
“8 Simple Tools for Raising Great Kids” is pretty much the blueprint for great communication in general and it works great with kids. They are lasting teaching moments because you are teaching them to control and express themselves by controlling and expressing yourself in a positive way.
Thats not to say you won’t slip up or that everything will be television sitcom peachy in your household but, I think having a foundation as a reference will make like so much better.
Now, maybe you’ve been doing some of the 8 things Dr. Cartmell mentions in his book or none or maybe all of htem without even knowing. Whatever the case may be, having this book will have a positive impact on you, your kids and your family.
Some of the tools mentioned seem so simple like “Talking”, but the chapter explains HOW to talk to and with your child versus talking at them.
“Listening” is the next took Dr. Cartmell mentions. We are always harping on our kids to listen, listen, just listen but, I can tell you, I’m not always so great in that department.
Each of the 8 tools has a chapter of it’s own with guidance on how to approach them with your child. Don’t worry, it’s not a preachy lecture so you won’t get the feeling that you’re being told to “Do This or Else!” because we all know that doesn’t work with kids so, I’m pretty sure you won’t stand for it as an adult.
One of my favorite chapters is the third one on “Influencing”. It talks about the power of words
This is a great book to have as you are raising your children or if you are expecting a child.
You’ll learn a lot from Dr. Cartmell on the 3 tools mentioned in this post and the remaining 5 tools which are: Connecting, Teaching, Encouraging, Correcting and Leading.
If you’d like to get a copy of “8 Simple Tools for Raising Great Kids” we are extending a 50% discount to our readers. You can purchase your copy here: 8 Simple Tools and enter code: GREATKIDS16 at checkout.
You will also get Free access to the HEARTS AT HOME “ESSENTIAL WORKSHOP COLLECTION FOR PARENTS” with every purchase: http://www.8simpletools.com/purchase-with-offer (so you’ll not only get 50% off with the coupon code at moodypublishers.com, but also get access to a slew of freebies).
Let me know what you think.