Life-Ready Parenting

Last Friday at a family gathering, everyone started singing happy birthday to my 8-year-old. She immediately looked down, blushed, and tried to hide behind me. Instead of immediately rescuing her from the attention, I remembered our family’s commitment to the Life-Ready approach. I gently encouraged her to stay in front and accept the attention. After the song, she smiled shyly. The look of discomfort mixed with growing pride on her face told me we had a perfect opportunity to practice being the center of attention in a low-stakes environment. ...

Last Sunday at a family gathering, my 8-year-old was meeting cousins she’d never seen before. She looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to make the introductions. Instead of immediately stepping in, I remembered our family’s commitment to the Life-Ready approach. I whispered, “You can introduce yourself. Just say your name and ask theirs.” The look of nervousness mixed with determination on her face told me we had a perfect opportunity to practice social introductions in a low-stakes environment. ...

Last Thursday, we stood in a long line at the amusement park. My 8-year-old started fidgeting and complaining after just a few minutes. Instead of immediately finding distractions or complaining alongside her, I remembered our family’s commitment to the Life-Ready approach. I said, “Lines are a part of life. Let’s practice waiting patiently together.” The look of impatience mixed with growing acceptance on her face told me we had a perfect opportunity to practice patience in a low-stakes environment. ...

Last Monday, my 8-year-old was excited to buy her favorite cereal at the store. When we arrived, the shelf was empty. “They’re all gone!” she exclaimed, her face falling. Instead of immediately promising to find it elsewhere, I remembered our family’s commitment to the Life-Ready approach. I acknowledged her disappointment and asked, “How can we handle this?” The look of frustration mixed with growing acceptance on her face told me we had a perfect opportunity to practice handling disappointment in a low-stakes environment. ...

Last Sunday, my 8-year-old wanted to buy a small toy at the store. Instead of immediately handing over my credit card, I remembered our family’s commitment to the Life-Ready approach. I gave her some cash and asked, “Can you pay for this and make sure you get the right change?” She carefully counted out the bills, handed them to the cashier, and then counted her change back. The look of concentration and then pride on her face told me we had a perfect opportunity to practice financial skills in a low-stakes environment. ...

Last Saturday, our family was driving to a new park. My 8-year-old wanted to help navigate. Instead of immediately setting the GPS myself, I remembered our family’s commitment to the Life-Ready approach. I handed her a simple paper map and asked, “Can you help me figure out how to get there?” She studied the map carefully, traced the route with her finger, and began giving me directions. The look of concentration and then pride on her face when we arrived told me we had a perfect opportunity to practice navigation in a low-stakes environment. ...

Last Friday, my 8-year-old was going to spend the night at her cousin’s house. She looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to pack her bag. Instead of immediately taking over, I remembered our family’s commitment to the Life-Ready approach. I handed her the overnight bag and asked, “What do you think you’ll need for tonight?” The look of concentration and then pride on her face when she finished told me we had a perfect opportunity to practice preparation in a low-stakes environment. ...

Last Saturday, my 8-year-old wanted to make lunch but we were out of her favorite bread. She looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to solve the problem. Instead of immediately suggesting alternatives, I remembered our family’s commitment to the Life-Ready approach. I opened the pantry and said, “Let’s see what we do have. What could you make with these ingredients?” The look of concentration and then pride on her face when she created a delicious meal told me we had a perfect opportunity to practice resourcefulness in a low-stakes environment. ...

Last Thursday, my 8-year-old’s knee met the sidewalk during a bike ride. Blood welled up in a fresh scrape, and she looked at me with tears forming. Instead of immediately cleaning and bandaging it myself, I remembered our family’s commitment to the Life-Ready approach. I got out the first aid supplies and guided her as she cleaned the scrape herself. The look of concentration and then pride on her face when she finished told me we had a perfect opportunity to practice self-care in a low-stakes environment. ...

Last Monday, my 9-year-old wanted to order a pizza for our family dinner. Instead of immediately picking up the phone myself, I remembered our family’s commitment to the Life-Ready approach. I helped her find the number, wrote down what she wanted to say, and watched as she dialed and placed our order. The look of pride and accomplishment on her face when she hung up told me we had a perfect opportunity to practice phone communication in a low-stakes environment. ...