Author: MarnaKay

I do have some credentials. I am a college graduate and I did teach both Junior High and High School, albeit briefly. I then chose to be a stay at home Mom and become a “professional volunteer” at the schools. Of course, there is no such thing. That is simply what I called myself! My best credential is that I am a Mother and Grandmother and I am willing to share...

Tip # 19. Never Lose Communication

Never Lose Communication with your teenager.

There are many ways to communicate with your son:

Talking, Texting and the old fashioned way of writing notes.

If talking does not seem to be opening up a conversation with your son, don’t give up. There will be stages when chatting with parents is not # 1 on a teenager’s list of things to do BUT it is still # 1 on your list.

Go back to Tip # 1. Find him doing something right. Make a mental note of it and then write him a note. Place the note somewhere in his room, on his computer, on his pillow or in his bathroom. Finding the note later in the day will still affirm his good action and your positive presence in his life.

There is no limit on how many notes you can write.

Everyone likes and needs to have their actions acknowledged and appreciated.

There you go. Another lesson for today. Now, go and love your son in your own special way. Some days are long but, trust me, the years will just disappear.

Love,

MarnaKay

Tip # 18. Do the Right Thing.

Do the Right Thing.

Teach your son that he can only control his own actions. He can lead by example but he cannot control the actions of others.

It is time to walk away when a situation makes him uncomfortable. If it feels wrong to him, it is wrong.

Let your son know that you believe in him. This is the first step in him believing in himself. If he believes in himself it is easier for him to make good choices.

There you go. Another lesson for today. Now, go and love your son in your own special way. Some days are long but, trust me, the years will just disappear.

Love,

MarnaKay

Tip # 17. How to Be a Best Friend

How to be a Best Friend.

Does your son have a dog? If so, his dog is probably one of his best friends.

His dog never argues with him or says bad things about him. He is always there for him.

Being a best friend is a lot like that. You may not always agree with your best friend but why argue with him. You can agree to disagree.

Try to be there for your friend and don’t say bad things about him to others.

Treat him the way you want to be treated.

There you go. Another lesson for today. Now, go and love your son in your own special way. Some days are long but, trust me, the years will just disappear.

Love,

MarnaKay

Tip # 16. Making Decisions

Making Decisions.

This is something that you and I do every day.

Your son is also making decisions every day:

Which toy to pick up, Which game to play, Which book to read, Which friend to invite over, Which school assignment to do first, Which girl to ask out on a date…

The above decisions are preparing him for the bigger decisions to come.

Having you in the background can feel like a safety net for him but that is not your job. Your job is to give him the tools he needs to make the right decisions.

Start with a sheet of paper or a computer screen and ask him to start listing the pros and the cons. Amazingly enough, when he sees it in print the decision will usually be clear. The pros will out number the cons, or vice versa. However, this may not be the decision he thought he wanted to make.

This is where parenting skills come into play. Encourage him to take time to review his work sheet on the pros and cons, to sleep on his decision and then, well, this is where you step back.

Making a bad decision early on will be a good learning experience for him. He can learn from his mistake.

Allow him to feel the success of making good decisions and the disappointment of making a bad decision.

Making a bad decision later in life can have some very severe consequences.

There you go. Another lesson for today. Now, go and love your son in your own special way. Some days are long but, trust me, the years will just disappear.

Love,

MarnaKay

Tip # 15. The Day is Almost Over

The day is almost over.

Your energy is dwindling.

There was no time for “one on one,” and no “me time,” either.

Please don’t feel guilty.

Just do this before you head to bed:

Focus briefly. Pick a MarnaKay Tip. Set your goal.

You now have a plan. Go to bed, sleep will come.

Awaken refreshed. Smile as you prepare for your day.

Put your chosen Tip to work early today.

Feel the parental joy.

There you go. Another lesson for today. Now, go and love your son in your own special way. Some days are long but, trust me, the years will just disappear.

Love,

MarnaKay

Tip # 13. Not only What you Say but…

Not only what you say but what you do matters.

You may think your son is not watching you, but you would be wrong. He is.

Never forget that you are his daily role model.

Are you slow to anger?

Are your words kind?

Do you do what you say you will do?

Do you tell the truth?

Are you helpful to others?

This week evaluate your own actions.

You are important.

You are not perfect but how you act really does matter.

There you go. Another lesson for today. Now, go and love your son in your own special way. Some days are long but, trust me, the years will just disappear.

Love,

MarnaKay

Tip # 12. Stop. Look. Listen.

Stop. Look. Listen.

Stop what you are doing.

Look at your son.

Listen to what he says.

Really Listen to what he says, there is a difference between hearing and listening.

Hearing what he says is important but if you do not listen to what he says when he is a child, he may not bother talking to you when he is a teenager. Communication is crucial when you have a teenager.

There you go. Another lesson for today. Now, go and love your son in your own special way. Some days are long but, trust me, the years will just disappear.

Love,

MarnaKay

Tip # 11. Magnificent Response

Magnificent Response.

While browsing the famous Indian Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico, we stopped at a booth with lovely silver jewelry. When my husband asked about the talented artist, the woman indicated that it was a family display. She smiled as she pointed to her own pieces on the left, her daughter’s in the middle and her husband’s on the right.

My sister-in-law said, “Does this cause competition within the family?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, the woman replied, “No, just encouragement.”

What a magnificent response!

How do we erase sibling competition and rivalry? Is that the million dollar question or could it be as simple as teaching the family to encourage each other?

When you encourage another person you become invested in their success.

There you go. Another lesson for today. Now, go and love your son in your own special way. Some days are long but, trust me, the years will just disappear.

Love,

MarnaKay