Do you want a Tag'd Tee?

Do you want to be part of our team and get a free Tag'd Tee?

This Friday we will be picking a random winner.  All you have to do is post either here or on the Facebook Page that you want one.  We have shirts for the guys too.  In other words, if the winner has a name like Doug Cook he could win too.  I wonder if he will see his name here so he can be in the running not only for a Tag'd Tee, but also for our weekly random contest prize.  If you see your name, Doug Cook, then make sure you go to our "Behind the Scenes" Facebook Page and mention that you saw your name by end of Sunday to be entered. We will pick our random winner on Monday AM and if your name is chosen and you saw your name, then you win.  If not, then there isn't a winner for that particular week.  So far, we have had winners for the last 3 weeks.

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We are working very diligently trying to get our store ready to open - lots to do.  Our grand opening will be next month just in time for the holiday shopping to begin.  We are really looking forward to seeing all of our dedicated, local customers who have been shopping via Internet for all of these years.  We truly thank each and every one of you for standing by us and allowing us to flourish the way we have.  To all of our customers, near and far, we can't thank you enough.  You guys are the best!

 

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Today I am posting the 7th Alternative to Punishment e-report.  Even though it is the last of this series, I will continue to forward along some very informative parenting e-reports that I continue to receive.  I find them more than helpful and I hope you do too.

This is a key ingredient...
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Alternative to Punishment #7: Self-Reflection
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SELF-REFLECTION

As parents who are learning to raise healthier and happier kids,
we need to reflect on our actions in order to clearly see the
effectiveness of our own parenting tactics. In order to gain perspective
on how these tactics are affecting our child's emotional, mental and physical
health, for good and bad.
Ask yourself: "Is what I'm doing now based on what is actually
happening in this moment or am I reacting to a memory from
my own childhood; or something that more recently happened?"
Or ask yourself...

"Is it really necessary for me to respond this way?
Will what I'm doing effect my child positively or negatively?"
The aim of this alternative is to first put things in perspective. After all,
we can't expect to make clear and just decisions when we are reacting
impulsively from things that happened to us in our past.
That's why it's critical to take a moment and ask ourselves important clarifying questions.
Let's face it, when we're parenting on auto-pilot (without self-reflection)
we tend to treat our kids the same way we were treated by our own parents.
We often use parenting practices without questioning them.
While these parenting tips and tricks may have been necessary for our parents
to cope with all the demands in their lives, if you're reading this, then you now have
a chance to assess whether or not there may be a healthier way to raise your own child.
Try this Self-Reflection Exercise, and see how it works...
Get a piece of paper and a pen, and, throughout the day, while observing
your interactions with your child, ask yourself these questions, and write
your answers on the paper:
- How did your parents talk to you? Is it how you want to talk with your child?
- Are you doing to your child, what was done to you, out of habit?
- If you're tempted to react or punish, question your motives first, and have a
look at your own childhood.
- Were you punished as a child?
- Did your parents threaten you? make you feel guilty? did they be-little you?
- What did you feel you needed most from your parents that they didn't give
you enough of?
- What did you love most about your parents?
- Can you remember a time that you felt really connected with your mother?
and with your father?
- Was there a game that you played with your parents that you were fond of?
- What kind of physical affection did you receive from your parents?
- What things did your parents do that you don't want to do to your child?
- What things did you learn from your parents that you would like to pass
on to your children?
We can only change things we're aware of...
...and the first step in becoming aware is to
question what we're doing NOW and get
clarity on our first lessons in parenting from
our own upbringing.
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In summary, follow these simple steps:
1. Notice how you parent
2. Ask yourself if what you say to your child is REALLY coming from you, or
if it's the same things that were told to you as a child.
3. Think about your upbringing and answer the above listed questions.
Just noticing for now is enough. You don't have to take action.
Remember, awareness is the first step. Nothing can be effectively "fixed",
"changed" or "improved", until you are clear and aware of what is really
going on for your child.
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That wraps up your e-report:
7 Effective Alternatives to Punishment.
Simply by knowing and applying these
little-known secrets about child discipline
you'll be way ahead of the game of stressing
less and enjoying the little moments in parenting
more. We hope you've enjoyed these tips and
suggestions.
Here's to your parenting success!