MrHowd.com

February 4th, 2026

Teaching Selflessness

It’s a trap to think that in order for us to be happy, we need to put ourselves first. Scientists have evidence that one way to increase happiness is to be thankful and grateful:

The video above gives one easy way to put others first by making a “gratitude chart.”

Here are some other ideas from Love and Logic:

Make sure to love your student in a selfless way.
Teach them to serve you and their family. “Do your kids have a list of contributions (a.k.a. “chores”) that they need to complete by various days or times of the week? Are you holding them accountable for failing to complete the duties by the prescribed deadlines? Are you doing this with empathy… rather than anger, lectures, threats, or bribes?”
Expect tangible mini acts of service. ” Should our children be seated when older adults have to stand? What wonderful lessons can be learned when we expect them to rise and offer their seat to someone else? Are your kids holding doors open for people? When in line are they offering someone to go ahead of them? Are they offering to carry something for someone who is struggling?”
Allow boredom. “Since they have a phone or tablet, and have constant access to videos as their parents shop or do similar less-than-stimulating things, they are being entertained. When we do this, are we stealing from them? Might this practice be contributing to the number of young people who have absolutely no impulse control skills?”
Limit exposure to popular media. “Are the relationships portrayed in most television shows, modern movies, and other media, the kinds we want our kids emulating?”
Community service… as a privilege not a punishment. “Too frequently “community service” is viewed as something only done by drunk drivers and others who’ve broken the law. In a Love and Logic home, community service is not designed to be a punishment… it’s intended to be an opportunity… a privilege. It’s intended to be seen as an opportunity to be part of something important, needed, and noble.”

Read the full article here.

Originally posted 2017-11-13 17:36:31. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Posted in Parent Tips | By Christian Howd Be the first to comment »

January 28th, 2026

There is no such thing

Originally posted 2017-08-14 15:30:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Posted in Parent Tips | By Christian Howd Be the first to comment »

January 21st, 2026

When you fail

Originally posted 2016-10-08 20:41:36. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Posted in Parent Tips | By Christian Howd Be the first to comment »

January 14th, 2026

A healthy way to solve problems

It might be funny to watch a dysfunctional family on TV, but it’s not fun being a part of one, says Love and Logic in a recent article. Researchers have studied what makes families happy and healthy, and one important discovery has been who family members talk to when the have problems:

In healthy families, Mom talks to Dad when she is upset with Dad.
In unhealthy families, Mom talks to the kids when she is upset with Dad.
In healthy families, Dad talks to Mom when he’s upset with Mom.
In unhealthy families, Dad talks to his friends when he is upset with Mom.
In healthy families, Junior talks to Dad when he wants something from Dad.
In unhealthy families, Junior talks to Mom when he wants something from Dad.
In healthy families, Junior talks to his teacher when he doesn’t understand an assignment.
In unhealthy families, Mom and Dad talk to Junior’s teacher when Junior doesn’t understand an assignment.

The pattern is probably clear by now. Healthy communication involves going directly to the party involved in the problem, rather than involving a third party. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, and quickest way to a solution means going to the person involved. Read the whole article here.

Originally posted 2017-04-13 13:35:36. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Posted in Parent Tips | By Christian Howd Be the first to comment »