 Healthy Reflections Newsletter
Linda Young, Ph.D.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Publisher
June 12, 2008
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"Summertime and the livin' is easy" or so the old blues song goes. For many of us these days, summertime isn't what it used to be, with scorching heat, floods, tornados, high gas prices and economic uncertainties. Despite all these challenges, this season still affords many of us an opportunity to slow down a bit and enjoy time with family and friends and especially our children or grandchildren. In this edition's main article, The Gift of Self-Knowledge, the focus is on helping children recognize and develop their talents and personal interests based upon their unique personality. Just possibly, this slow-down time will assist your child in her or his self-discovery!
I'll be adding a new feature to Healthy Reflections newsletter beginning next week. Each week you'll be receiving a short email entitled "Mental Health Nuggets". This will include a short paragraph or so that presents a relevant mental health fact, topic or suggestion. So be looking for your "Nugget"!
You'll continue to receive the full newsletter every three weeks. As always, I invite you to give me feedback on articles or topics you'd like to see in the Healthy Reflections newsletter. Your comments or questions are always welcomed. You can reach me at: feedback@mentalhealthcorner.com.
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The Gift of Self-Knowledge:
One of the greatest lifetime gifts that a parent can give to their child is the gift of self knowledge. This gift will keep on giving for their children's entire lifetime. If your children have a solid grip and understanding of their very own unique selves, you will help prepare them to be stronger, more confident, and have greater self esteem.
Each child is born with a unique personality and his or her own set of personal interests. These characteristics are part of the package that we are all born with, but individual uniqueness is not always recognized or identified and developed in childhood. Some children seem to sense and know from a very early age just what they enjoy and want to do for the rest of their lives, while many others need some help and nudges along the way to find their uniqueness and their very own passion.
Children born to the same family and raised in a similar manner are each unique regardless of their upbringing. For instance, one child may show an avid interest in caring for animals, and this child will probably spend a lot of time with the family pet, and their reading preferences will be about engaging animal stories. Another child in the family may be extremely interested in exploring and finding out how everything works. This child will keep you constantly on your toes with their never ending questions about everything from wanting to know how your hair dryer heats up to how your car goes forward and backward.
Those are the kinds of natural interests and abilities that wise parents will pay attention to. These parents will consciously and deliberately provide opportunities for their children to have experiences in which they can increase their knowledge and understanding in areas of natural interest to their children, and they will guide them in finding ways to express themselves in their special area of uniqueness. Using age appropriate materials and activities, parents can encourage their children to further explore these unique interests. Each new experience will be a stepping stone into their self-discovery and expand their awareness of what makes them feel good and what doesn't particularly interest them. With each unique interest or ability, there are hundreds of paths to follow where a child's inquisitive mind can develop, grow, and experience self-discovery. As their self discovery is expanded, they will be able to make more pertinent, focused choices for their future.
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Today's Sponsor:
Best-selling author Michael Webb has put together 1,000 of the most important questions couples should ask each other in order to deepen their relationship. These questions are designed to help you really get to know the thoughts, feelings and desires of your loved one or spouse. To learn more about
1000 Questions for Couples go to:
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"Relationship Nugget":
Just Because:
Give your loved one gifts "just because." These don't have to be expensive. For example, one woman had a miniature dish collection. Her husband came home and told her he had a gift for her and asked her to hold out her hand. He gently placed in her hand a miniature porcelain cup with her name painted on it in beautiful detail. She knew that the cup probably cost only a few dollars but to her it was priceless because he had taken the time and effort to find something she enjoyed. The small gifts packed with thought are far more cherished.
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Quotes To Ponder:
He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else. ---Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790, American Scientist/Publisher/Diplomat
Without work, all life goes rotten, but when work is soulless, life stifles and dies. --- Albert Canus
Two things are bad for the heart -- running up stairs and running down people. --- Bernard M. Baruch, 1870-1965, American Financier and Statesman
You can close your eyes to reality but not to memories.
--- Stanislaw J. Lec, 1909-1966, Polish Writer
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Mental Health Dictionary:
Dementia:
Dementia is a problem in the brain that makes it hard for a person to remember, learn and communicate; eventually is becomes difficult for a person to take care of himself or herself. This disorder can also affect a person's mood and personality.
--- National Institutes of Mental Health | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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