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This month, we’re exploring the theme of making choices—because practicing decision making builds confidence.
Theme Email
Week 1
Focus: How does my child make choices?
Everybody has a decision making process.
Some of us need lots of information before we buy a new appliance. Some of us dive headfirst into a new situation and are happy to figure it out along the way.
So, how do our kids make decisions?
Of course, they're not purchasing appliances. But they are deciding which kids to interact with, which toys to select, which arguments to engage in, which clothes to wear, and more.
Weekly Challenge:
This week is about gaining some insight into your child's decision making process. See if you can catch that process and notice something about it.
- Can you identify if they are weighing options?
- Do they often waffle between choices?
- Do they struggle to make choices regarding particular themes?
- What kinds of choices do they tend to make automatically? Not automatically?
Can't wait to hear your observations in our WhatsApp Community!
Week 3
Focus: When Choices Become Power Struggles
How often does it happen that you end up in some version of a power struggle with your kid after making them an offer?
Or, how often do they come to you with a choice they want to make, but you can't give them the thing they want?
Where autonomy meets limits, there we will find the power struggles!
So, what's a parent to do??
This week, we're going to pay special attention to the choice-based situations that lead to power struggles.
Weekly Challenge:
As always, start with observation. Can you recall the last 3-5 choice-based situations that led to a power struggle? What was the common denominator?
Think about:
- How much input did you give your child
- How much choice did they really have
- How prepared were you for the situation
- Did your child have all the necessary info
- Did you have all the necessary info from your child
Can't wait to hear your answers in our WhatsApp Community!
Week 4
Focus: Parent Reflection
This week, we are going to focus on which choices are hard for you to let go of.
Maybe things are just easier if you don't give options... but are they easier for your child, or is it perhaps more about protecting your capacity?
Let's explore!
Weekly Challenge:
Peek into your inner thoughts, and see if you can ask yourself the following:
Do I feel any kind of control, urgency, fear of chaos, decision fatigue, or discomfort around the choices I am struggling to let my child make?
Then, see if you can pick one low-stakes area where you can let your child’s choice stand, even if it’s not your preference.
Remember: preferences are different than boundaries and rules!