Babies & Toddlers Information

Its Not Too Late to Vaccinate Against the Fear of Failure Flu


There's an epidemic in our culture. Have you heard of the 'fear of failure flu?'

Early symptoms include sweaty palms and a knot in the stomach. Those in the middles stages of the 'disease' have an intense focus on 'resume building' -- children's activities are no longer for fun but become accomplishments that will somehow separate some important future application from the rest of the pack. A form of paralysis (that keeps kids from trying new things at which they might not instantnly excel) is a symptom only visible in the later stages of the disease.

Parents who want to teach kids to value effort for its own sake start with themselves. They start with their own fears. Everyone fails from time to time; when we don't it's often because we're not stretching far enough!

To vaccinate your kids agains the 'fear of failure flu' a careful self examination may be in order. After all, to thrive, a virus needs a carrier and a hospitable environment. As parents, it's importnat that we take steps to make sure we're not 'carriers' of the very behavior we're trying to help our kids avoid!

For example, if you're too hard on yourself when you 'come up short' do you hide that fact from your children? Could you, instead, share the fact that you -- and they -- are human beings with a lot to learn and there will always be times in life when we fail at something we care about? There is strength in learning to view setbacks as learning.

Which outlook is supported by the environment that your kids are in?

Andrea Patten, LADC is the co-author of What Kids Need to Succeed: Four Foundations of Adult Achievement now available on Amazon.com

For more information about the Four Foundations, or to book Andrea to speak to your group, please visit http://www.whatkidsneedtosucceed.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Library Corner
Contra Costa Times, CA - 16 hours ago
26, for toddlers and babies. Toddler and Preschool Time, 11:15 am Jan. 26. Family Storytime and Crafts, 7 pm Jan. 26, for all ages. Peek-A-Book Time, ...


Winter fun for everyone at the Pawling Free Library
Pawling News Chronicle, NY - Dec 26, 2008
Programs for our youngest patrons and a parent include: Bouncing Babies, Toddler Rhyme Time and The Two of Us. These programs are designed to nurture a love ...


Library Corner
Contra Costa Times, CA - Dec 19, 2008
14, 21, 28, for babies. Toddler Time, 10:45 am Jan. 14, 21, 28. Joy of Movement, 4 pm Jan. 15, for preschoolers and other kids. Reading Circus with Boswick ...

Babies-Toddler - Google News

home | index |site map
© 2006