Tag Archives: criticism

I Can Take a Little Criticism

I fully acknowledge that I am a work in progress—especially as a parent. Even with a couple dozen years under my belt, there are days when I feel like a complete novice. This doesn’t mean that I don’t take my own advice and try to trust my instincts and have some compassion with myself—but I have had to learn how to take a little criticism when it comes to my parenting. Interestingly enough, a big hunk of that criticism comes from my kids. My kids are constantly letting me know now what they will and will not do “when they … Continue reading →

Can You Take Criticism and Hear About Your Shortcomings?

One of the main reasons that I cherish the time I get to work alone is that I don’t have to take input from anybody else. I admit it; I would rather sail through my working world without having to take criticism or have to hear about my flaws and shortcomings at all. I figure I beat myself up enough that I just don’t want to hear what other people think too! HOWEVER, we inevitably have to take constructive (and not-so-constructive) criticism and there can be some very positive things that come from taking a good look at how other … Continue reading →

Let Child Overhear Praise, Not Criticism

Parents talk about their kids. It is a fact of parenting and family life that our children may overhear us talking to our friends, grandparents, or spouse about something the child did or didn’t do. Hearing a parent’s negative talk or reporting can be devastating or angering though. We can turn the tales on this reality by letting our children overhear us saying positive and good things about them, and not the criticism. Overhearing praise can be powerful. I know that my own children have often accused me of saying something positive because “you have to, you’re my mom!” But, … Continue reading →

Homeschool Criticism and Support

I received some email questions this past weekend from a student who is researching homeschooling. This student had some very good and informed questions, and so I thought I would present some of his questions here, with my answers. The first questions involve my decision to homeschool. The next question set of questions involve criticism and support. What kinds/types of criticism have your family had because of homeschooling? I cannot say that my family and I have had direct, in your face, criticism because of our homeschooling. There are however, always the annoying “questions” that are definitely critical of homeschooling. … Continue reading →

Gospel Doctrine: “They…Rebuked Him”

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The parable found in Luke 18:35-43 bears striking similarity to the parable we studied for the last two days. While many things stood out to me, I was most intrigued by the difference between the two. The reasons required for each participant to continue pleading in faith were intriguingly different. In the parable of the widow and the judge, the judge simply ignored her. The account of the blind man, however, is no parable; it actually occurred. As the Savior walked past, the man heard the crowd and inquired as to the reason. When told that it was Jesus of … Continue reading →

Offering Guidance to Our Kids, Not Criticism

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When our kids do something wrong, as they inevitably will, we should strive to guide them rather than criticize them. “To avoid being judgmental, psychologists do not use criticism to influence children. They use guidance. In criticism, parents attack children’s personality attributes and their character. In guidance, we state the problem and a possible solution. We say nothing to the child about himself or herself,” says Dr. Haim Ginott. Remember when our kids were infants and toddlers and they spilled something? What did we do? We talked about the event- “Uh-uh, Tyler spilled his juice. Let’s get that cleaned up.” … Continue reading →

Emily’s Art – Peter Catalanatto

Emily loves to paint. She’s good at mixing shades, and at putting colors side by side in such a way that they don’t run into each other. Her paintings are special, too – she doesn’t just paint what she sees, but what she perceives. In a picture of her family, she put four mommies – not that she really has four mommies, but her mom is so busy, it seems like she’s everywhere at once. Art feels like a part of who Emily is. When the announcement is made at school that an art contest will be held, Emily gets … Continue reading →

Weight a Minute! Society’s Obsession with Food

Today’s Weight: 261.4 My back went out last week, forcing me into a sedentary state. If I’m not exercising, I’m not losing – a fact I’ve learned about myself. Sigh. Last week (before I threw my back out) I took my ten-year-old for a mother/daughter outing to Wendy’s, her favorite place to eat. Standing in line, I overheard a man and a woman talking behind me. She was trying to decide which of the items on the dollar menu she wanted, and finally settled on a junior cheeseburger, chicken nuggets, and fries. Her husband said to her, “If you want … Continue reading →

Bill Cosby On The Warpath

Legendary comic Bill Cosby is at it again. The man who has made many contributions to family entertainment (see Nick Jr.’s “Little Bill,” the infamous “Fat Albert,” and the multi-Emmy award-winning NBC classic “The Cosby Show”) is once again making headlines for his scathing remarks about the state of children’s education in today’s society. Cosby, who has ignited controversy in the past by criticizing teachers and parents, spoke out about the poor job he thinks they are doing with children at a recent education conference. Cosby told conference participants that educators and parents are simply not doing enough to help … Continue reading →

Marriage Communication: Nagging Doesn’t Work

Nagging doesn’t work – no matter how well intentioned you are or how frustrated you may be – just nagging your spouse about chores, bills, responsibilities or whatever it is you are wanting them to do – well, it doesn’t work. Now, before you tell me that when you constantly remind them to do something, they do in fact do it – this makes your form of nagging successful, let me counter that with this question: If you didn’t nag them the next time, would they remember? Chances are, once you’ve created the cycle where you remind your spouse to … Continue reading →