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As parents and mentors, we are role models, leading our kids toward the adulthood we hope they will have. Our jobs vary from teaching the 3R’s to giving guidance on sticky situations to, at times, laying down the law. I admit, I can be a jabber jaw. I like to tell it and tell it again. But the reality is, with kids, short and sweet is the answer. We want them to learn and know the reasoning and get where we are coming from, but all that lecturing doesn’t really work, does it? Truth be known, how much does it even work for us as adults? No one enjoys and earful and most of us shut off after that droning begins. The answer? The One-Minute Lesson If your student is caught cheating, you could go on a lengthy diatribe about honesty and their future, or you could say. “I’m really glad we are talking about this. I believe cheating is a short cut that ends up costing you, like it did when you got caught. I also believe it is wrong. I have been there and cheated myself. Even when it worked, I knew it was wrong and I felt miserable. I’d rather do the work and feel good about myself. I’m glad you told me. Let’s get back to work. This math is really tough!” 1. Gratitude – for the opportunity to talk about the issue. 2. Value – How you feel about the issue and why. 3. Personal experience – How this issue affects you (use caution and be appropriate in disclosure.) 4. State the positive. 5. Move on! What is the power in the One-Minute Lesson? Chances are, you have their attention. What you are saying will be heard. Second, it keeps you on track and prevents you from losing your way with a long-winded lecture. We all remember what it was like when it was lecture time, shifting in our seats while we were stuck listening to something that seemed completely irrelevant. Forget it! Keep it to a minute instead. Third, we are laying groundwork. With a tiny seed like the One-Minute Lesson, there is plenty of room to repeat the message and send many more. Instead of sharing our wisdom in long sessions, we are offering mini-sound bites for our kids to grab. Give it a try. See how effective small lessons can be when you share them with gratitude and simplicity. Have a great month and remember to stop at www.simplyputtogether.com for more tips and tools.
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