Hey Parents! We all know there’s no instruction manual for raising kids, right? When my daughter was born, I thought I had everything figured out... boy, was I wrong! 😂 Back when she was little, everything was sweet and simple—until she hit those pre-teen and teen years. Ages 12 to 18? Pure chaos! I’d wake up some mornings thinking, “What happened to my sweet child?”
There’s no single “right way” to raise kids, and honestly, I lean towards some old-fashioned methods. Let me share a bit of my story: I was adopted as a teenager, and my adoptive parents were amazing—truly my biggest supporters. My mom is Scottish, and my dad has German heritage, but they were so in tune with my brothers and me, always emotionally, physically, and spiritually present. They were our number one fans. 1. ✨ The Key to Raising Kind and Smart Kids: Be Their #1 Fan ✨ No matter what, being there for your kids is essential. Support them, guide them, and be their cheerleader. But hey, don’t forget to set some boundaries too. At Super Happy Healthy Kids, I often joke with the kids, saying, “What, you guys want to be homeless?” 😂 And when they complain about not liking math, I remind them, “One day, you might run a company, and if you don’t know math, people could steal from you, and you won’t even know it!” 2. Smart Kids = Empowered Kids 💡 I always try to give them an exit strategy—if they don’t want to do homework, fine, but understand the consequences. Knowledge, especially in math, is about protection. It’s about being smart enough to safeguard your future. Personally, with my daughter, I took a practical approach. I told her, “You get 85 and above, and I’ll leave you alone. But if you fall below that, it's tutor time every single day!” It worked for us. She stayed motivated and knew I was serious. You don’t have to be a helicopter parent to raise smart kids. Set clear expectations and let them be responsible for their choices. I always say, “Get 85 or higher, and I won’t bother you. But drop below that, and you’ll be doing homework non-stop!” 😅 3. Make Learning Fun 🎉 One key thing I’ve learned as a lifelong educator is that kids learn best when they’re having fun. At Super Happy Healthy Kids, we keep things light and enjoyable. Homework doesn’t have to feel like torture—it can be a game! For example, if a kid finishes their work quickly and accurately, they earn jewels, which they can exchange for prizes. The motivation and excitement keep them engaged. 4. Raising Kind Kids = Consistent Modeling 💕 Kindness is something you cultivate. Some kids are naturally kind, while others need a little more guidance. And that’s okay! At our program, we teach kids to ask themselves, “Are those kind words? Is that a kind act?” It’s not about constant lecturing—it’s about encouraging them to reflect on their actions. Kids need that space to learn kindness on their own, with gentle nudges from us. 5. Set Expectations, But Don’t Forget to Breathe 🧘♀️ My final tip? Chill. Seriously, take a breath. Parenting is hard, but your kids are smart. They’re capable. I tell my daughter and our students that I expect them to succeed because I believe in them. It’s all about setting expectations, teaching them the importance of being kind and smart, and then letting them rise to the occasion. 🌟 So, parents—take it easy on yourselves. Encourage your kids to be their best selves, support them, and always be there cheering them on from the sidelines.
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AuthorEsther Yang - Mom; Community Organizer; Educator; Health & Wellness Advocate; Skin Care/Recipe developer; Yoga/Karate/Meditation instructor. Archives
January 2025
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