10 Helpful Homework Ideas

Parents can play a major role in parenting their children for a successful school experience.  Here are 10 ways that parents can support and supplement what takes place in the classroom.  I will also post these homework ideas again next August. 

1.         Allow your child some time to unwind after school.

2.         Avoid the pressure of school by making homework a comfortable activity.

3.         Determine your child’s biological clock.  When is their best time for studying – before dinner or immediately after dinner.

4.         Create a quiet, study environment for your child to do homework, with good lighting and             necessary supplies. 

5.         Help your child with learning how to break major homework assignments into manageable chunks.

6.         Look over the homework after it is completed to see that it is neat and totally finished.

7.         Show interest in your child’s school work by displaying it on a bulletin board or the refrigerator.

8.         Help your child learn to study effectively for tests by:

            *          reviewing notes several days before the test

            *          asking the teacher what the test will cover

            *          save past quizzes because they are great study guides

 9.         Make sure your child gets enough sleep every night.

 10.       Compliment!  Compliment!  Compliment!  When your child works hard at their homework always reaffirm them with, “I really appreciate your wonderful effort!”

 Today:  Begin implementing these 10 helpful homework ideas. 

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7 Ways To Build Confidence In Your Child

Regularly everyone, including your child, has setbacks and disappointments but what makes a difference in the response is a determined, never give up attitude!   Handling the challenges of life with a determined spirit requires that your child have confidence.    Shown below are 7 ways to build confidence in your child.

1.         Verbally affirm your child often with two phrases:  “I am proud of you” and “I believe in  you.”

2.         Help your child understand mistakes and setbacks are tremendous opportunities to learn even more and grow. 

3.         Teach your child to look for solutions when problems arise.  There are always solutions!

4.         Teach your child the importance of asking for help from others when looking for a solution.

5.         Stress to your child that focusing on the now, the present, is all that matters and that is what is within their control. Make a masterpiece of today!

6.         When you have a setback, model how well you handle that challenge.

7.         Every morning, have your child say aloud the affirmation, “I can and I will today!”

Today:  Begin implementing these 7 ways to build confidence in your child. 

Enjoyed this post?  Like or share on Facebook and Twitter to spread the word!  Please also “SUBSCRIBE” on my website for future newletters and information about my Christian marriage book.  See past blog posts under Practical Wisdom for Marriage, Parenting, and Life. 

7 Essential Goals For A Healthy Parent

A healthy parent desires to lead and guide their child to be a motivated, responsible decision-maker.  A wholesome parent also attempts to do their very best in order to help their child be successful in every area of life.  Focusing on 7 Essential Goals can assist a parent in achieving those objectives. 

1.         Provide unconditional love both verbally and physically. Daily, tell your child “I love you no matter what” and give numerous loving physical touches.  Unconditional love is always important but especially once your child is in double digits.

 2.         Only give your child positive labels, NEVER negative labels.  Your child will fulfill whatever label or reputation you place on their forehead.  Use the words “I appreciate” when giving the positive label.  For example, “I appreciate your positive attitude” or “hard work” or “great decision-making,” etc. 

 3.         Treat your child like they are 3 years older than their age.  Expecting your child to be 3 years more mature than their age will instill confidence, produce a positive attitude, and build excellent decision-making skills. 

 4.         Compliment more than you correct.  Unfortunately, most parents falsely believe the goal is to focus on just correcting errors. Instead, compliment your child’s efforts more than their outcome.  Search for what your child is doing right and give many “I appreciate” compliments. 

 5.         Be consistent, decisive, and have firm limits. It is so easy to give your child a second, third, fourth, and even fifth chance.  However, by not expecting your child to respond the first time, you are being inconsistent and indecisive which can create various difficulties for your child.  

 6.         Lead and guide your child by being brief.  Don’t try to influence your child’s heart by talking and reasoning way too much.  Talking a lot, debating, and arguing with your child will usually create “parent deafness” where they turn off the volume. Simply, be brief, be decisive, and have firm limits!

7.         Be a role model.  Example is not the best teacher, example is the only teacher.  More things in life are caught than taught.  As both an individual and parent, be operating at a higher level in all aspects of life than your child. 

This Week:  Discuss with your child’s other parent or a significant family member where you can improve for the sake of your child. 

Enjoyed this post?  Like or share on Facebook and Twitter to spread the word!  See past blog posts under Practical Wisdom for Marriage, Parenting, and Life. 

FamJam Parenting Workshop

On Saturday, November 3 at 10:30 am, I am speaking on “Christian Leadership Parenting.”  The FamJam Parenting Workshop, www.hclc.info/famjam, will take place from 9:00am to 1:00pm at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 8115 Oaklandon Road, Indianapolis, 46236, 317-823-5801. Fifteen speakers will gather to provide insights on parenting, finances, anxiety, sibling relationships, sleep issues, and even picky eaters. There is something for everyone!  This will be helpful for parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles, nannies & babysitters, and anyone who cares for children.

This is not just for Holy Cross families but for anyone in the entire Indianapolis area and surrounding communities.

4 Christian Qualities To Instill In Your Child

On Wednesdays I post a practical wisdom thought or suggestion on Marriage, Parenting, or Life. Four Qualities at the core of Jesus are Respect, Humility, Servanthood, and Compassion.  These are the same four qualities that will help your child be similar to Jesus in all their associations with others.

Jesus showed RESPECT to everyone, including the Pharisees who did not respect Him.  A child may feel free to disagree with others but should always respect everyone even if another person has a differing opinion.

The Bible says, “Jesus HUMBLED Himself on the cross for the sins of the world.”  True humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.  A child with humility will not have a superior attitude and look down upon others but instead view everyone as an equal.

Jesus “came not to be served but to SERVE.”  Likewise, a healthy child with a servant’s heart will give to others in various ways by putting the interests of others above their own.  Serving is giving to others without expecting anything in return.

Finally, the Bible says Jesus had “COMPASSION” on those who did not believe He was the Son of God who opens the door to heaven.  A child having both sympathy and empathy for others will possess a compassionate heart for everyone.

For a Child:  Example is not the best teacher, EXAMPLE IS THE ONLY TEACHER!  So ESSENTIAL ATTITUDES ARE CAUGHT from a parent more than taught by a parent!

Please follow me on Facebook and “Like” and “Share” when you read a post that is beneficial so others may receive the post.  In addition, I now have six marriage videos on my YouTube Channel, “Dr. Randall Schroeder.” 

If you enjoyed reading this post you may enjoy reading other posts found on the website, www.DrRandallSchroeder.com, under “PRACTICAL WISDOM for Marriage, Parenting, and Life.” Thank you!

4 Success Qualities To Instill In Your Child

On Wednesdays I post a practical wisdom thought or suggestion on Marriage, Parenting, or Life. I believe that there are Four Qualities that lead to a successful life for your child - Positive Attitude, Confidence, Determination, and Toughness or Resilience.

A child with a POSITIVE ATTITUDE will wake up each morning optimistic that there will be more positive than not so positive things happening that day.  A Positive Attitude means everything in terms of responding to all life situations.  Charles Swindol said, “Life is 10% what happens and 90% how we respond” and a healthy response is based upon a Positive Attitude.

A child needs CONFIDENCE in their God-given talents and gifts.  A child with solid confidence will give a good, consistent effort every day with their God-given abilities because they believe in themselves.

A child benefits from a DETERMINED spirit to never give up!!!  The great Winston Churchill said his philosophy of life was to “Never, Never, Never Give Up!!!” Determination provides the internal motivation to always be a finisher in achieving goals and dreams.

Finally, a child with TOUGHNESS or resilience will always bounce back from setbacks.  Life has ups but there will also be downs and a child must learn to be tough and resilient after being knocked down.  Hence, a child actually benefits from experiencing bumps and bruises in order to develop toughness.

For a child:  Example is not the best teacher, EXAMPLE IS THE ONLY TEACHER!  So ESSENTIAL ATTITUDES ARE CAUGHT from a parent more than taught by a parent!

Next Wednesday, October 3, I will blog post the 4 Christian Qualities To Instill In Your Child.

Please follow me on Facebook and “Like” and “Share” when you read a post that is beneficial so others may receive the post.  If you enjoyed reading this post you may enjoy reading other posts found on the website, www.DrRandallSchroeder.com, under “Categories.” In addition, I now have six marriage videos on my YouTube Channel, “Dr. Randall Schroeder.” Thank you!

Time Means Everything!

On Wednesdays I post a practical wisdom thought or suggestion on Marriage, Parenting, or Life. A wonderful synonym for LOVE IS TIME!  You can determine what you love in life by how you spend your time.  Are we spending most of our time on hobbies, television, work, video games, projects, technology, etc.?

Great marriages, happy families, and responsible children are the result of planned time together in so many ways.  Leisure time, mealtimes, laughing time, working time, one-on-one time, prayer time, enrichment time, faith time, life-long education time, relaxing time are all essential for a satisfying life and rewarding relationships.

We absolutely cannot let our lives and our time happen by chance!  Consciously planning and scheduling our personal time and relationship time makes the critical difference!

TODAY:  Plan your personal and relationship time to have a meaningful life and close connections with spouse, children, family, and friends!

 #marriagehelp #parenthelp #marriagetip

Please follow me on Facebook and “Like” and “Share” when you read a post that is beneficial so others may receive the post.  If you enjoyed reading this post you may enjoy reading other posts found on the website, www.DrRandallSchroeder.com, under “Categories.” Thank you!

Improve 1% Per Week

On Wednesdays I post a practical wisdom thought or suggestion on Marriage, Parenting, or Life. Literally, every major accomplishment happens “one” at a time.  No individual or relationship ever got better all at once.  Improvement happens one day at a time, one compliment at a time, one minute of exercise at a time, one hug at a time, one phone call at a time, one action at a time, one kiss at a time, etc.

Most of us want immediate success in all areas of life but, of course, that is not realistic.  In counseling, I often suggest to individuals, couples, parents, and families, that a reasonable goal is one percent improvement per week or four percent per month.  Certainly, one percent per week doesn’t sound like much but at the end of a year that is 50% improvement as a person, spouse, parent, friend, etc.

TODAY:  Take “one” action that can begin the process of improving yourself as a Christian person.  In addition, take “one” action or say “one” sentence that will improve a relationship, whether a friendship, marriage, parent-child connection, co-worker association, etc.

Please be sure to “Like” and “Share” when you visit my professional Facebook page so others may receive the post.  If you enjoyed reading this post you may enjoy reading other posts found on the website, www.DrRandallSchroeder.com, under “Categories.” Thank you!

YOUTUBE VIDEOS:  My YouTube channel is “Pastor Dr Randy.”  I am excited to share that I will begin answering questions about Marriage, Parenting, and Life issues such as depression, anxiety, OCD, bereavement, etc., through YouTube videos.  I encourage you to send your questions to info@DrRandallSchroeder.com.  Of course, you will remain anonymous.

Are You Having Fun With Your Spouse or Child?

On Wednesdays I post a practical wisdom thought or suggestion on Marriage, Parenting, or Life. My definition of fun is doing an enjoyable activity together with your spouse or child.  Fun is not doing a responsibility with your spouse or child.  Certainly, family fun times are also very important but there needs to be a balance with one-on-one time and that is usually what is absent in too many family relationships.

Whether husband-wife or parent-child, satisfying, rewarding relationships have a lot of one-on-one fun times!  You often bond the most when the enjoyable activity is without others around.  Having just one-on-one fun with your spouse or child creates happiness for both of you and strengthens your emotional connection.

TODAY:  Please ask your spouse or child what meaningful activity would be fun to do both inside the home and outside the home. 

Please be sure to “Like” and “Share” when you visit my professional Facebook page so others may receive the post.  If you enjoyed reading this post you may enjoy reading other posts found on the website, www.DrRandallSchroeder.com, under “Categories.” Thank you!

Touch Is Foundational For Our Well-being

On Wednesdays I post a practical wisdom thought or suggestion on Marriage, Parenting, or Life. Babies denied skin-to-skin stimulation usually struggle with physical, mental, and emotional developmental issues.  Neglected babies often “fail to thrive” due to touch deprivation.  The good news is that through emotional support and physical touch on a daily basis, the negatives for those babies can be reversed resulting in a happy, successful life.

So science proves that meaningful touch is essential for every child but it is equally important in marriage. Spouses and parents must never underestimate the Power of Physical Touch.  One of the very best ways to stay connected in marriage and parenting is through skin-to-skin contact. Daily, strive to be a wholesome person, spouse, and/or parent by giving and receiving touch with those you love.

TODAY:  Keep track of how many times along with the various ways you touch your spouse, and if you are a parent, your child. 

Please be sure to “Like” and “Share” when you visit my professional Facebook page so others may receive the post.  If you enjoyed reading this post you may enjoy reading other posts found on the website, www.DrRandallSchroeder.com, under “Categories.” Thank you!