To free children from playing roles

1. Look for opportunities to show the child a new picture of himself or herself.
“Every time you wanted to give a gift you always made a gift with waste materials at home. You can be enterprising if you applied your mind.”

2. Put children in situations where they can see themselves differently.
“Would you like to manage kitchen for today?”

3. Let children overhear you say something positive about them.
“She stood by me to support me through the day in the kitchen even though she was not feeling great physically herself.”

4. Model the behavior you’d like to see.
“I hate to clean the entire messy room.”
“I know. I usually clean one part at a time.”

5. Be a storehouse for your child’s special moments.
“I remember the time you …”

6. When the child acts according to the old label, state your feelings and/or your expectations.
“I don’t like your tone. Even though you are deeply disappointed, I expect you to be brave about it.”

- from the book 'How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk' by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

--
I Am New,
Krish Murali Eswar.