by Katherine Miller

Created on: April 20, 2009

There is nothing more important in making a difference with your children than noticing the little things your child does on a daily basis. Don't wait to congratulate your child on graduating, winning at a swim meet, making a home run or having an excellent report card, even though these milestones are moments you need to be there for your child, they are just the accumulation of excellent behaviours your child is needing your attention and approval for.

The saying goes 'don't sweat over the small things' but in all honesty, it is not about sweating over the small things, rather than paying attention to them. As much as you should be paying attention to changes in your children's behavior, you should also be paying attention to their small achievements. Children need encouragement from you for small simple things like; doing their chores without being asked, completing all their homework on time without being hounded to do it, brushing their teeth every night, tidying their rooms, taking the dog for a walk, raising their grade from a D to a C, it sounds simple enough but without acknowledging these smaller achievements and giving constant encouragement, that sometimes acknowledging only the larger achievements in their life will have an adverse affect.

Consider your child's schooling, if you only wait for their report card and once you get it you see your child's highest grade is a B, with several C's and D's, you may get upset, but if you have been paying attention to the smaller achievements, you may already know by the time you get the report card that your child has been trying extremely hard at raising their grades, and that these grades are an achievement from previous reports, thus once you get their report card you will be able to celebrate the successes rather than hinder their progress.

It is important to teach your children about smaller successes, congratulate and assist them to grow on them. Not only will it assist your child, it will help you as a parent to understand your child better, and as you grow together you will learn from each other. We are never to old to learn something new, and some of the greatest lessons in life will come from your children, these small lessons that we all should know but unless presented to us in the most basic of terms, will be an amazing bonding experience you and your children will remember for the rest of your lives.

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