Parentingwith A Twist

Role modelling is a way of signalling what’s appropriate in terms of how you behave, what you do, the activities you engage in, and what you believe. Are you hopeful, engaged, thriving, self-sufficient, and prosperous? In other words, are you a role model of what it means to be Success-Ready?!

“The” Golden Popsicle Stick has our two you youngest on the path to transformation as well. And you can do this with your children and even yourself!

Our Family Game of Life took a twist when River, our eldest child, at the age of 15, asked if we could introduce “The” Golden Popsicle Stick! Listen to the leaps he made when he took ownership of what he wanted to make different in his life!

We suggest tying allowance to non-negotiables, household chores and family rules. And we have a system that works to tie these together without actually making one totally dependent on another.

Tests typically are measuring content that is being taught in a specific subject, it’s not measuring persistence, curiosity, enthusiasm, courage, leadership, creativity, resourcefulness, self-discipline, sense of wonder, big picture thinking, compassion, reliability, motivation, humour, empathy, sense of beauty, humility or resilience.

Why is school a home to many psychological drop outs? Because schools are based on an assessment which mostly measures test scores, and there is so much that isn’t taught that is needed to be successful in school.

The sad conclusion is that school is a home to many psychological drop outs. This effect on the psyche influences elementary and high school performance, post secondary preparedness, employment opportunities, and choices  concerning engagement in high-risk behaviours.

It’s important to realize that not to get stuck in the past or caught up in the future; you miss the precious moments that make up our lives! Human nature is unappreciative of what is in the moment as we are conditioned to have attachments to things in the past ..Continue Reading

Do you think of yourself as wealthy? Do you tell your children that you are wealthy? What if you looked at defining wealth differently?

Allowance gives you the opportunity to show your children how to manage money. Allowance in our house is divided into four categories: savings, spending, investment and giving back.

Less than 31% of children between the ages of 12-18 receive financial literacy information at school and only 1% of parents say their kids save anything from their allowance. Wow! We are sending our children off into the world completely ignorant about money. Teach your children how to have a ..Continue Reading

A key factor to raising successful children is the thoughts that we ingrain in our children from a very young age about money. See if some of these resonate with you, perhaps you heard them when you were a child and/or perhaps you say them to your children now.

Sometimes parents get so caught up in giving to their children that they miss what power they do have. It is important to understand the difference between a parental obligation and a privilege.

Use natural consequences or your children’s currency to set up what you feel are the expectations in your house. And, did you know that consequences can be positive?

You may notice that I don’t often get punitive with my kids, I get curious. This leads me to asking questions to truly see where they are at in their life at that moment in time. l invite you to do the same —ask questions of them and their Key ..Continue Reading

My son taught me that something we, as parents, teachers, coaches, etc., might perceive as ‘normal’ or ‘right’, isn’t always the case! When I didn’t see what he wanted to read as the ‘right’ reading materials, I shut him down. When I heard his words and supported him, he blossomed.

Parents need to understand that they are their child’s parent first and their friend second. Sometimes it’s easier to be their friend because you don’t have to have consistent firm boundaries or realize that, ultimately, as they continue to grow, you are the main person responsible for them.

Our children’s key influencers have a great deal of power in relation to forming our child’s confidence and the way they see the world. You want to be cognizant of who they are, as well as the power they hold.

All students experience learning losses–what educators and researchers refer to as the “summer brain drain”–when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer. I talk about what that means and how you can combat it.

Reduce the fight over screen time! Encourage structure & brain development! All while still having some summer fun! Follow the steps reviewed in this podcast. Contact us at amber@amberscotchburn.com and we will send it to you!