I once read a quote from Peggy O’mara that says that “the way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.”

That really made me take a moment to reflect on the words and the behavior that I use towards my children. It made me more intentional in my parenting.

Just as I have been dealing with a lot of transition as of late, so has my 6 year old son. That can be overwhelming for him (and me) at times.

During his kindergarten year, I began having morning talks with him on the way to school and always made sure to tell him that I loved him and to have a good day with the hope that he would actually have a good and tear-less day. My son is still learning to process his frustrations and that often results in tears. So as the year went on I tried to find more ways to speak to him in ways that instilled confidence, pride, respect and positive self esteem.

One of the things that I learned over the year is that it was very easy to teach him things by incorporating them in our daily routine.

Fast forward to a new life, house and school in Chicago.

Every morning as soon as we get in the car, I say repeat after me:

I am Kaeden (full name).
I am 6 years old.
My birthdate is January 9, 2009
My address is __________ in Chicago, Illinois. (it didn’t take long for him to know his address)
I am in the first grade.
My teacher is _____.
My school is ______.
I am brave.
I am responsible.
I am respectful.
I will pay attention in school.
I am confident.
I will try to make a new friend today.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (that prompted a small discussion).
I will have a good day.
I will have a day with no tears.
I will talk to my mom about my frustrations instead of crying in school.

Our drive is about 7 minutes long so we might have a little conversation as well but there isn’t much time for anything else.

I always end with you are awesome. I love you and have a good attitude and a good day.

One day last week, we got in the car and my mind was wondering and I just started driving.
As we were half way to the school, he said you forgot to have me repeat after you. I said oh, I’m sorry. Why don’t you tell me what I should say.
He begin doing his own mantra adding in or omitting a few things.
He said that I like when we do that.
After I dropped him off, I had the hope that the things we say in our routine becomes his inner voice.

What are some things that you do or say to your child to reinforce positive thinking and positive self-esteem?