No Is a GOOD word!

O.K...so kind of like time to make the doughnuts...it;s time to write my next post!

I was at preschool this morning thinking about what I would like to write about today, because it is Tuesday and I promised myself that I would write a new post every Tuesday, and while I was chatting with one of the young Moms...it came to me! The word ( and no it is not a bad word) NO! She was explaining that one of her friends likes to always be positive and not use negative language when speaking with and to her children. She asked me what I thought of that, and after a brief second of reflection,and I mean brief, I said "It's o.k. to use the word NO, as a matter of fact I think it is absolutely necessary."

She looked at me, smiled and said, "Good! Sometimes it just comes out!" I then spent the next part of 10 minutes while we watched the kids playing, and even had the occasion to use the word "No"(someone was about to pour sand all over someone else's head) explain why I think "No" is a good word.

One of the most important jobs of parenting is to teach your kids boundaries and keep them safe. They don't know how to do that, we have to teach them and show them. Think about it, if one of your kids is about to run into the street and a car is barreling down the road toward them, are you going to yell "Johnny, think about the choice you're making!" NO WAY! you are going to scream at the top of your lungs.."NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO get out of the street!" You may even throw in some more choice words, of which "No" might be the nicest!

Kids want us to and need us to show them where and when and how to stop. They want to know where the boundaries are. We have to show them where they are, not once, but again and again and again. It makes kids feel safe, shows them they are loved and shows them they are important. So important, as a matter of fact that you don't even care if they are mad at you. Be their parent, they have lots of friends.

So, next time you think about using the word "No"..go ahead, do it! Your kids will love you for it!

Until next time,

Pam