This is the second post in a series about the book Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood: Practical Parenting from Birth to Six Years
For other posts in this series, click here.
------------------------------------------- For other posts in this series, click here.A few months ago I wrote a post summarizing the concept of parenting with "Love & Logic". I really agree with the principles presented, and hope to use them with Abby. She's reached the toddler-tantrum stage, and while I can't apply some of the Love & Logic ideas until she can really communicate with me, there have definitely been times already when I choose to approach things differently than other parenting styles...
Principle #1 of Love and Logic is to build their self-concept. It's so easy to see a 14-month-old try to do simple tasks and want to take over and do it for them, or "show them how it's done." For example, Abby has one of those ring-stacker toys
. I know she has watched me a number of times over the last few months put the stars on (making it light up), but she didn't show much interest in trying to do it herself until just recently. Now she's taken a star, tried and tried and tried to get it on the post, turning it every which way except the right way. It was all I could do to sit on my hands and let her figure it out on her own! And she did. And I praised her. She grinned and grabbed the next star and worked on it.
Allowing kids to struggle and solve their own problems builds their self-concept. It's the idea that forms in their head of "hey, I've got what it takes! I can do this!" And it sets the stage for them to think on their own in other events later in life, when mommy isn't watching.
I haven't read "Love & Logic" [yet], but it sounds like the type of parenting style we embrace. Most people would probably think we "ignore" our kids, but it's really just us trying to teach them to depend on themselves to figure things out and entertain themselves.
ReplyDeletePS - THANK YOU for introducing me to Thrifty Decor Chick. It's just the kick I needed to get me started on my own house, seeing all her projects that I could TOTALLY do myself. I'm going to be doing some serious "decor-ify-ing" the rest of the summer. Just little things, curtains (made myself) and such, but hopefully it will be a major difference.
Hi Carrie!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to NOBH! So glad you linked up! You have a lovely blog here. I've never read Love and Logic either, but it sounds like a great book with all its parenting tips! Thanks for sharing on NOBH!