Tag Archives: Positive

Share a Smile

We tend to focus on the “business” of our home businesses—spreadsheets and budgets and marketing plans. Even our human relationships can be relegated down to “networking.” In reality, sometimes what is needed in the course of our business day is for us to simply step outside ourselves and share a smile with someone… I know it sounds simplistic and somewhat Polly-Anna, but smiles really do work. They work for the person on the receiving end and you might be surprised to remind yourself how good it feels to give a smile. Forget the image of the stern and stressed business … Continue reading →

Some Events Have a Lasting Positive Effect

As single parents, many of us worry that the life events we have been through may having a lasting negative effect on our children. In fact, I think this can be a fairly common worry for ANY parents, not just single ones. Not every hardship or struggle is necessarily a bad thing, however, and some events may have lasting effect—but a positive lasting effect on our children and ourselves. Think back over your own life—surely it has not been all fun and games and while you may have some very positive feelings about some of the joyous events, you likely … Continue reading →

Single Parenting Can be Pleasant

I tend to focus on the struggles, the trials, and the stressful tribulations of single parenting. I don’t mean to, especially since my experience as a single parent is generally an incredibly positive one. But, I do relate to how challenging it can be just to keep all the balls in the air. It is nice to remind ourselves; however, that single parent can also be an incredibly pleasant experience as well… We have talked about the joys of single parenting, and parenting in general in this blog and others—but I do think that single parenting can get a bad … Continue reading →

Identify Strengths

I think that it is human nature–or at least it seems so in this age and society–to identify our weaknesses and try to work on those. As single parents, we are often quite aware of our weaknesses–those places where we struggle or think we need to make improvements. Instead of focusing in on our weak points, however, we might be much better off if we identify our strengths as a person and as a parent, and focus on those! I could probably sit here and list my faults and flaws all day–or at least for half a day. What is … Continue reading →

How Could I NOT Be Thankful?

There have been a few people who have passed through my life who have looked at me and felt gratitude that they WERE NOT me–they weren’t into family life or single parenthood or couldn’t see themselves dealing with the responsibilities and challenges that come with solo parenting three independent and strong-willed kids. Well, I suppose that all these different versions of lifestyles is what makes life so intriguing and interesting, but as I take stock this morning, I cannot help but feel extremely fortunate and grateful! I think that people often assume that single parents sit around lamenting their “lot” … Continue reading →

Look For Things You Like

Sometimes in the world of parenting life, it can seem like all we are doing is offering correction, discipline and trying to teach and educate our children. The focus can be on what is going wrong, whatever phases our child is going through, and all the challenges and un-fun realities that take a parent’s time. It can take some real effort sometimes to look at our child and find things that are going well… With teenagers, there are definitely days when I have to look hard for behaviors and emerging personality traits that I’m thrilled about. Sometimes, I just have … Continue reading →

Accentuate the Positive: Start Today

In a recent article, Four Tips for a Healthy Marriage, I asked this question: “Do we look for and mention the positive things our spouses do and say, or are we often too quick to make note of the negative?” It is important to discuss differences. I’m not suggesting otherwise, but being quick to find fault without taking the time to notice the good things our mates say and do as well, can lead to resentment and bitterness. It’s wise to remember that constructive criticism works better and it works best when applied along with other positive, more complimentary statements. … Continue reading →

Romance a Day Keeps Divorce at Bay

One of the drawbacks to growing up is we forget how to have fun. Watch kids some time, they fight, sure. They argue and they yell and they may even share recriminations. They want to be friends one day and they hate each other the next and then they are back in each other’s pockets the next day. They can make the simplest gestures mean the greatest things. They are genuinely pleased to see each other – there is true joy in their eyes when they greet. Learn From Our Children Let’s learn from our children and demonstrate for our … Continue reading →

The Right Attitude in Each Situation

Last night I was attending a ladies dinner with some ladies from the congregation I attend, as well as ladies from some area congregations. The speaker really hit on some things that I needed to hear. Lately I have been somewhat down on myself and my current situation. Nothing bad has happened in my life to make me feel this way; rather, I have not had the best attitude toward my situation. This is what the speaker spoke on last night. One of the verses the speaker used was Philippians 2:14: “Do all things without grumbling or questioning.” The speaker … Continue reading →

Remembering to Reward Good Behavior

As a parent it is easy to focus on the negative behaviors that our children exhibit, making sure that proper consequences are enforced when rules are broken. It is harder to recognize and appreciate the positive behaviors that our children show. As parents we even less often reward good behavior. As a teacher I was taught that for every negative comment you should make at least two positive comments. So the number of positives to negatives is two to one. As a parent I find myself focusing on the behavior that I don’t want my children to be doing more … Continue reading →