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As Amy Bohnert, a psychologist who researches child development at Loyola University, said, there are a lot of different ways to raise kids, and there's no magic formula that works for every one of them. There are, however, general guidelines that can help moms and dads to cover the basics. And people can find them on Big Life Journal's social media.

This organization is more than parenting tips. Its founder Alexandra Eidens told Bored Panda that, "Big Life Journal is a growth-mindset company for children and teens. Through our journals, Big Life Kids podcast, and parenting education, we've empowered millions of families and classrooms around the world to help their children develop the mindset they need to achieve anything they want in life."

Eidens and her team achieve that by equipping parents with "science-backed tools for helping their children build bulletproof confidence, emotional intelligence, and the bright-eyed determination to follow their dreams."

Bringing up a child is a funny thing— we all think we're good at it but often experience great uncertainty along the way. Continue scrolling and check out the things Big Life Journal talks about with their online followers, who knows, maybe they're just what you need to make your journey less bumpy.

More info: biglifejournal.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

The team at Big Life Journal made the decision to start sharing parenting tips on social media not because they were chasing empty clicks and likes. "Over time we realized how much parents want to learn and get better in parenting," Eidens said.

"We also realized that no tools for children can help if children do not receive the right messages at home. The words we use with children have a great impact on their developing minds. There are subtle differences in language that make a dramatic effect on whether our children believe in their unlimited potential or get consumed by self-doubt and fears."

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Hans
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And, possibly even more important: respect each and every children in their individuality.

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Isabella
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They need space and support to be children, but they need to be thought how to become functional adults in society, which has some rules though. So they also need to learn what means "no" and how to network the relationship with other individuals in the society.

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"Our aim is to support parents in a mindful way while understanding that we all do our best with the resources we have at the moment. In our social media content, we provide strategies and specific tactics to build consistent progress toward raising a confident, self-loving child. We help parents understand the science behind these tools and explain ways to integrate these parenting strategies into their daily lives."

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The people who follow Big Life Journal have told them time and time again that during stressful parenting situations they are able to step back, look in their "toolbox", and see what they have available to implement.

"Our parenting tips revolve around mindset, self-esteem, confidence, resilience, emotional intelligence, and self-love," Eidens explained.

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Kathryn Baylis
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I take some exemption to “It’s a problem you can solve”. It really should be “If you can’t solve a problem on your own, come to me and I’ll help you. Together we can figure out a solution”. It lets the child try on their own first, then tells them not to be afraid to ask for help from their parents. (Later in life, you can substitute asking for help from a teacher, professor, boss, or any other person with more expertise.) That has the added benefit of instilling some respect for the experience and wisdom of their parents, long before the child reaches their own adulthood. That way, they can be well ahead of Mark Twain, who said "When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years."

kjorn
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it's ok to fail, you can't know everything. that's how you learn

Ashley Schriber
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of adults could probably stand to hear these more often, too.

Riley Quinn
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Positive reinforcement? I wonder how I would've turned out if this system had been used.

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Tristan J
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was clearly too good at this, I have a toddler who won't sleep on his own...

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Tristan J
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In some situations, these may apply, but you also don't want your child to grow up afraid of physical contact, unable to engage or share with others, a fussy eater or selfish and entitled. There will be situations in life where others trust them with their feelings, and teaching them they have no responsibility for the feelings of others is simply bad parenting.

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All of the hard work that goes into curating their social media accounts didn't go to waste. On the contrary. "We've been blown away by the wave of responses from hundreds of thousands of parents and educators," Alexandra Eidens added.

It's what reassured Big Life Journal that they're on the right track."We understand that this is a great indicator that parents want and need solid research-based strategies in bite form. We've built a dedicated team of researchers and editors who are working day and night to craft these parenting tips and provide the best support we can."

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Pezor Zass
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i can't completely get with the "everything after but" part. it's saying that you don't care why they did it, you don't want any context. it's important to understand why something happened.

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Tristan J
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are plenty of times in life where you will be expected to express gratitude when you are not truly grateful. Nice idea on paper, but following the advice wouldn't set your child up for the realities of society.

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One reason that could explain why everyone at Big Life Journal remains so passionate about their followers is its humble beginnings. The organization is actually a family-owned business.

"It all started when my husband and I started creating tools to help our own children develop the mindset they need to live their fullest lives. We still can't believe how fast and big our company grew since we started in 2017," Eidens said. "It is an indicator that so many parents (and educators) are realizing how important it is to focus on our children's thoughts and beliefs about themselves and the world. Mindset is truly everything."

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Kathryn Baylis
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hell, this is what I say to my angry husband (before you get concerned about my safety, he gets angry about crap that happens at work, and just vents about it to me—-I’m kind of like his sounding board).

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ejfs
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. I never had enough love and was never allowed to choose what to do, or say, or be, so I learnt that I was unworthy of love and that I would never be able to affect anything in my life (at least in a positive manner) so I should simply never try.

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Riley Quinn
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, I should have lied to my parents? Fact is, I would have learned more had I been raised by wolves.

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Kathryn Baylis
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Positive reinforcement for positive behavior tends to make anyone want to keep it up. We’re like Pavlov’s dogs when it come to genuine appreciation and praise, no matter how modest we may be. I know I’m like the majority when I say I thrive and want to stay in upbeat situations, and only want to get finished and get out of, and stay as far away from as possible, any negative ones I can’t avoid.

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Soyexfox
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

these are all really great down on paper but in reality and logically im not too sure

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Kathryn Baylis
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being too hard on children just makes them resent you and want to leave as soon as they can—-and cut you and your toxicity out of their lives permanently.

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Kathryn Baylis
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In other words, don’t be a child yourself. Be a grownup and control your emotions and impulses.

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Kathryn Baylis
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Instead of calling it “whining time”, how about calling it “time to register complaints” instead?

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Raven DeathShade
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My parents had us do a love language quiz a few years back. I think mine was either gifts or quality time. And physical affection was a zero, mainly because the scenarios were so weird to me. "You finished your homework today! High five!"

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Kathryn Baylis
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just tell them you’re here for them when they’re ready to talk about it. Then leave them alone and let THEM seek you out. If they don’t within a reasonable time (operative word is reasonable), then just check in, but don’t press them.

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Kathryn Baylis
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And watch your tone of voice! Make sure it matches the words you’re saying! You can even say “Great job!” and “It looks nice”, if you’re genuinely proud their efforts and the end result. Just be sure to expand on that praise with a specifics you’re also proud of, such as their creativity and/or the time and effort they put into it. Just don’t go overboard, or it starts to sound hollow.

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Katherine Boag
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If your child asks why, please DO try to explain. If they arent asking why and are upset, let them have their feelings as explained in other pics.

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Kathryn Baylis
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This depends on the amount and situation. Some of this can also get out of hand.

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Jenn C
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work with a student with autism, and she hates it when people tells her to 'try harder,' or say 'you didn't even try'. "When they say you aren't trying, what they mean is you aren't succeeding. Sometimes I'm trying as hard as I can, but that just isn't good enough for them."

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Christopher Brenna
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kids manipulate people all the time. They're trying it out to see if it works and whether it's rewarding or not. It's totally understandable. Instead of labeling it "challenging behavior" because we're uncomfortable with the idea of small children being manipulative, maybe just help kids see that manipulating other people won't yield the results they're hoping for. But kids are smart. I have young children and they know what they're doing. It's not insidious, they're not Machiavelli or anything. They're just trying it out.

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Kathryn Baylis
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just don’t overdo it. In fact, don’t overdo anything in this article. Adjust it to your own family’s “style”. Whatever everyone’s comfortable with when they’re at home and can finally relax.

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Shelli Aderman
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Their needs are 100% important. And sometimes, they NEED to not be a selfish asshat and share their toys! 🤣

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Dem Dan
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or…give them a smack in the back of the head and tell them to knock that s**t off

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Carol Emory
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do this when I see kids in the store. "Boy..you sure are good at helping Dad push the cart!" "Man...I wish I had a smart shopper like you! You're so good at helping!" Or when the kid takes the initiative to unload the cart at checkout, I'll turn to the parent "This is a kid who knows how this shopping thing works! Too Cool!"

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Tami
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another panel says that reason and logic often don't work on kids, but this one suggests responses that use mature reasoning and logic. "Let's create a plan to achieve your new goal" is something you hear in business meetings, and even some adults may balk at that suggestion.

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Carol Emory
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do this all the time with my son. When he's having a bad day, I'll have him lay down and take deep breaths. Then I listen while he explains why he's angry, frightened, upset. I will ask questions to get to the heart of why he feels this way. Then I will help him figure out ways to identify the cause of it to get a better understanding of how much control he has over these situations. Every time we discuss something, I always end with.."if you need me to listen or just want to talk, I'm here."

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Tami
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"What happened on this test?" seems like a perfectly appropriate question. "Everyone slips up sometimes. Let's brainstorm new study methods," says that it's not ok to slip up sometimes, or that study methods are the only possible solution. Maybe the kid is being bullied for being too smart in that class or something like that.

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smugdruggler
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eating as a family is something that seems rare these days. Having a meal together builds bonds that sitting in front of the TV just doesn't.

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