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Your AIM: Smooth Sailing!
Many years ago I took the opportunity to rent a 29 ft sailboat with two friends and tour around the BVIs (British Virgin Islands) for a week.
Before we could, however, we each had to take lessons, including how to rig the sails and set the anchor.
One concept I learned is to “hold steady”. When your sail is full, and you’ve set a straight course, the best thing to do is to not mess with anything… just “hold steady”.
I think this is true for parenting too: sometimes the best thing you can do is to not look for the next thing to do, but maybe just “sail” through the routines you’ve set up and try to enjoy some moments.
But, like in life, there is always something to do on a boat, so during the ‘hold steady’ periods we would double-check ropes and knots and run through a check-list of basics.
Even when things are ‘smooth sailing’, it’s always a good time to reinforce the basics.
This week, instead of starting something new in your parenting, focus on reinforcing the basics of socializing, communicating, and of studentship.
Your AIM: Smooth Sailing!
Many years ago I took the opportunity to rent a 29 ft sailboat with two friends and tour around the BVIs (British Virgin Islands) for a week.
Before we could, however, we each had to take lessons, including how to rig the sails and set the anchor.
One concept I learned is to “hold steady”. When your sail is full, and you’ve set a straight course, the best thing to do is to not mess with anything… just “hold steady”.
I think this is true for parenting too: sometimes the best thing you can do is to not look for the next thing to do, but maybe just “sail” through the routines you’ve set up and try to enjoy some moments.
But, like in life, there is always something to do on a boat, so during the ‘hold steady’ periods we would double-check ropes and knots and run through a check-list of basics.
Even when things are ‘smooth sailing’, it’s always a good time to reinforce the basics.
This week, instead of starting something new in your parenting, focus on reinforcing the basics of socializing, communicating, and of studentship.
The following is a list of your child’s behaviors that you could 1. Notice more, and 2. Reinforce with positive praise:
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Stopping to look up and to listen, observe, pay attention
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Observing and imitating their peers
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Moving toward social interactions versus away from them (at home and in public)
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Initiating play
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Initiating help
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Asking, not grabbing
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Being patient
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Add your own skills and behaviors to this list that you want to reinforce
You don’t always have to look for what’s next: turn off the Google search tonight! Lean back into a few days of “Smooth Sailing” and use the time to reinforce the important foundational skills that form the base upon which your child will continue to have success.
This week, AIM for lots of praise and positive reinforcement of the basics, so that they (and you!) can enjoy many more months of ‘smooth sailing’ ahead!
Jonathan Alderson
Autism Expert
Founder, ThriveGuide
Author, Challenging the Myths of Autism
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Maximize your resources.
Less than the cost of a single therapy session.
Start right away. No waitlists.
Practical strategies you can do at home.
Know what to do and when.
Actionable goals to best support your unique child, each prioritized so you know what do to first.
Maximize your resources.
Less than the cost of a single therapy session.
Start right away. No waitlists.
Practical strategies you can do at home.