because I like symmetry

Tonight in the car I patiently explained to the kids why gracious manners and being aware of those around you is important. Punctuating a brief silence Little C said, "Thank you for sharing that information with me mommy." After we got home, the cygnets were genuinely sweet and kind to each other and very helpful around the house.

So to counter balance my less-than-exemplary-parenting-rant previously posted, I would like to offer up a few of the things I think I am doing right in the form of some phrases commonly used at our house:

"People interact with the world the way they feel about themselves."

"Finding things to feel grumpy about is a bad habit just like finding things to be happy about is a good habit."

"Trouble is trouble but lying is double."

"What did you do that contributed to the problem?"

"What can you do to contribute to the solution?"

"That uncomfortable feeling in your chest is supposed to happen. It is a good thing because it means you recognize your mistake. It is called sorry. When you apologize we will both feel better."

"When you make excuses for your mistakes you are not learning from them."

"May I have a turn when you are done please?"

"Tell me all about your day."

"Tell me something you did that made you feel proud today." (Insert any one of a multitude of positive words.)

"What did you do that made the world a little bit better today?"

"Let's go build a nest." (Which means we make a huge pile of blankets on my bed and cuddle up in the middle of it.)

"I love you." (You cannot overdo this one.)