Success in Life

Parents – How do you start your day?

Your success is hidden in your daily habits. And those habits tend to result in the same old routine. Parents, that same routine is the one routine you want to get right. I am not a perfect father of three (19, 10, and 7). But I am a father who strives to do things right – even when I so often do things wrong for my kids. I always like to say, you only have one chance with you kids – and that chance is now. If your success in life is hidden in your daily habits, and you want to be a successful parent, make sure you start your kid’s day off right.

“Start your child’s day with love and encouragement and end the day the same way.” Zig Ziglar

Yesterday, my son didn’t feel well and we kept him home from school. Well, his 7 year old sister came up with every excuse in the book to also stay home from school. She was miserable as I drove her to school on a Monday morning because she didn’t have a valid excuse except, “It’s not fair!”. She had a horrible attitude, and was blaming her misery on having to go to school.

Well, I tried to turn the situation around. I asked: “Do you know what today is?”

There was a miserable, “No.” from the back seat.

“Today is a Monday. It’s the first day of the week. It’s a new week and a new day and every week starts off with Monday morning. This is why Monday morning is the best day of the week!”

Now, most adults have decided that Monday is the worst day of the week. And Friday is the best day of the week. Well, what a way to live a miserable life! After quitting my job 3 months ago I have realized otherwise. I have come to the wonderful conclusion that I don’t thank God its Friday, I thank God I have days left before Friday. Friday to me is a reminder that a great week has ended – and I hate it when good things come to an end!

Yes, to me, Monday is the best part of the week and I wish Monday’s would never ever end. I never have enough time on a Monday and once Tuesday begins I always ask, What happened to Monday?

Back to my daughter…

She didn’t buy it. So I used different things as an example.

“It’s always great when you start things! You are always excited when something begins! The first day of school, a movie, a party – do you like it when you have to go home from a party or when a good movie ends? Don’t you have a hard time going to sleep at night because that’s the end of the day? The bast part of the day is when you start the day and get to do new things right?”

She listened intently.

“So Monday is the best part of the week! Get it?” I excitedly tried to get her to buy into my concept!

There was a brief moment of silence from the backseat. Then, with innocent curiosity to what I was saying in our 2 mile ride to school she asked…

“Why again”?

“Monday is the start of the week. Starting something is always better than ending something right?” I replied.

“Yeah we are supposed to watch a movies today! We have two of them! And Mr. Williams said we can watch them on the day after Sunday.”

And what’s today?

“The day after Sunday!” She exclaimed

“It’s Monday! The first day of the week! See? It’s always the best day of the week right?” I tried to encourage her excitement.

Just at that time we drove up to the school’s drop off zone and she made her way out of the car.

“Have a great Monday!”

“K”

“You have tutoring at 3:30.”

“K”

“I love you.”

“Love you too.”

The door slammed shut before I could say another word.

Don’t just start off your child’s day with encouragement, start off everyday (especially those dreaded Monday mornings before school) with love and encouragement! You have one chance to do that for your child. Don’t wait till Friday. Or next year. Success in life for you and for your kids means starting every day off right. Build these good habits into your routine. Someday, your child will do the same for theirs.

Oh, after I picked her up from school, I asked her as we drove home, “Did you have a great day?”

There was an enthusiastic “Yes, I did!” from the back seat.

“See – I told you Monday’s were the best days!”

I’m writing this article on a Tuesday. I wish it was Monday. Remember – Success in Life -  start your child’s day off right!

Thanks for reading!

Related Posts:
“Lack of Motivation – Change it up!”
“Improve your Personal Effectiveness 60 seconds a day!”
“Motivation Techniques – Routine“

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