What is Consistency? I encourage my daughter-Day 53

Good morning and happy Tuesday. I did not write my entry yesterday. It was a holiday and I could get to a computer, as most of the public facilities were closed. I missed writing very much. Moreover, I talk to my daughter quite a bit. In fact, I talk to her as if she is an adult. What do I mean? Good question.

I speak to her and allow her to speak to me. I encourage her honest views on whatever is on her mind. I respect her thoughts, views and opinions. However, I do let her know that as the parent, I must make the final decision. I will listen attentively to her but I must make the final choice. However, one thing I tell her daily.....she MUST be consistent in whatever she does.

What is consistency?

Consistent-constantly adhering to the same principles, course, form.

My daughter has a focus problem. This means that she does not maintain a steady course or that she is easily distracted. Last year she constantly had these types of problems in school. The teachers would comment that ..."your daughter is very smart when she does her work, but we have a problem keeping her on track."

I know that my daughter is very talented. Infact, she was tested last year for "gifted", and the instructed told my daughter that she "definitely belongs in gifted". But I spent much of my time running to her school, meeting with teachers, and the principal about her "conduct".

My daughter even revealed to me that one of the teachers told her that her question was "a stupid" question. You probably could imagine, I was livid. I made an offical complaint with the school, and I made contact with my School Board member. Think about this for a moment...a teacher tells a child that her question is "stupid." What would YOU do?

I told my daughter that this teacher was 100% wrong, and that her actions were NOT consistent with the way in which a teacher should conduct herself. A teacher should be professional, and have patience with our children. They should entertain ANY question, that our children ask them. However, this was a very negative experience for my daughter, one that haunts her to this very day. I had to explain to my daughter, that not all teacher are good teachers. This particular teacher is one of the ones that is not good, and she should have never said such harsh and cold words to my daughter or any other child. Thereafter, my daughter asked me to homeschool her, for which I gladly obliged.

I tell my daughter daily that in all of her positive actions, she must strive to be consistent. It is not enough to do something for a day or two. For example, if I want to lose weight, which I do, I know that I must decrease my food intake and exercise consistently. I tell my daughter that since she wants to have good study habits, she must study and ready daily. Be consistent. This is the only way to accomplish goals and acquire good habits, being consistent in what you do. Remember, habits are formed by consistent behavior.

Habit-an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary.

Therefore, whatever your children do consistently, they will form habits. So if they read and study DAILY, reading and studying become part of their daily routine, just like brushing their teeth. They do brush their teeth...dont't they?.

Moreover, if they "slack off" and play games and waste their time daily, this will eventually be their acquired habit, and they will get use to wasting their time. NO IFS BUTS or in betweens. Habits are formed by whatever behaviors are consistent. Good or Bad. Positive or Negative. The choice is YOURS.

What are YOUR children's Habits?

Have a great day and be consistent.

L. for Love