What “Raising Children” Really Means

Posted on July 13, 2015

I don’t know how time has gone by. We were so busy for 20 years raising our children and now they’re off! But isn’t that the goal? Raise them right and watch them thrive? I know our kids don’t THRIVE because we tend to their needs. I know “raising” them does not mean tending to their needs alone; raising them does not mean just feeding them, and taking them to school, activities and play dates.

“Raising” them means lifting them up or elevating them to a higher level — a higher level of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Lifting them up means elevating the intellectual, emotional, and physical characteristics of their personality so that they can thrive independently. Here’s how:

1. Raise the intellectual characteristic of their personality by reasoning with your kids. Reasoning solidifies understanding. This will help them learn early on how to think before they act and also how to learn from their mistakes. Kids learn quickly. Take advantage of it!

2. Raise the emotional characteristic of their personality by making social and emotional learning (SEL) a family habit. Research indicates that a child’s social and emotional competence has a direct effect on their personal, academic and social success. Teach them how to identify and understand their feelings and lead by example. Kids find it easy to express their emotions and feelings. All they need is a little guidance.

3. Raise the physicalcharacteristic of their personality by teaching them how to express, in words, their thoughts and their feelings. Encourage and appreciate positive behavior. Discuss negative behavior. As mentioned above, explaining your reasoning will engage your children’s intellect and help them understand what they did wrong and how they can learn from it. Writing is another great form of physical expression. I often made writing what my children learned from an issue a part of the consequence for negative behavior. My son says it still helps him get back on track (and he’s 21!).

Practice is key, though! With a little practice, you can elevate your child’s intellect and emotions, and once they start to think independently and practice balancing their emotions, outward expression will follow.

Raising kids is paying attention to their inner and outer growth at every phase of their lives.

By just being aware of these TOGs (Tools of Growth), you can activate your PGS (Parental Guidance System) and Raise your kids to BE HAPPY, THINK POSITIVE and DO GOOD!