Teaching children to make good judgement calls isn’t easy. Most days I sound like a broken record. However, a recent experience at a photoshoot confirmed that I’m being heard.
Realizing My Daughter’s Ability to Make Good Judgement Calls
We see pictures of kid models everyday. Whether showing off cool toys and gadgets, or rocking the latest fashion styles. There’s no doubt that pint size cuties make it all look fun and effortless.
Anastasia has been modeling since she was an infant. She was often the subject of many blogging sponsorships posts at first. When I decided to quit working full time in 2015, I submitted her photos and a child modeling agency scooped her right up soon after.
Since then, she’s worked with major brands. I feel like a proud mama seeing her image in print ads and commercials. Most importantly, she’s also saving for her higher education while learning important lessons along the way.
Anastasia has become a natural in front of the camera. Her smile is magnetic. She poses with ease. However, her professionalism is evident behind the camera as well.
Clients often complement her upbeat personality, and have also booked her multiple times because she’s “such a pleasure to work with.”
In fact, some people assume that in order to become child models, children must be cute. But it’s a lot more than that. It’s a combination of looks, personality and maturity.
Anastasia aims to please the clients. But she’s never willing to compromise her integrity for the sake of selling a products, and I admire her for that.
My husband and I have always told our kids, “never do anything that makes you uncomfortable.” We’ve spoken with them about boundaries, appropriate and inappropriate touching among other things.
We can only hope that they develop instincts that would help them make good judgement calls. This lesson was put to the test when Anastasia was asked to put on a body suit at a photoshoot.
She tried it on in the dressing room and she said, “I don’t feel comfortable.”
The stylist called me over to look at it. “It looks fine. It’s like a swimsuit. But, if you don’t feel comfortable, you don’t have to wear it” I assured her.
Anastasia insisted that she didn’t want want to be photographed in the top, and the client supported her decision.
The photoshoot continued for another hour or so. Then on our way home, I commended her decision. I knew that pressuring her to wear something that didn’t feel right could have a negative impact in the long run.
She’d probably resent me. To make matters worse, she’d probably feel pressure to do things, despite feeling uncomfortable down the road.
This is just one example, but teaching kids to make good judgement calls extends beyond photo shoots. When faced with peer pressure, it’s important for them to make smart decisions as well. The same can be said for other situations outside of the home too.
That said, here are some easy tips to teaching your child to make the right choices in tough situations.
4 Easy Tips to Teach Children to Make Good Judgement Calls
Don’t leave it all up to the professionals
Children learn a lot about making good judgement calls at school. However, this shouldn’t be the only source. They also need to learn about it at home. As I said before, repetition is key.
Weigh the Pros and Cons
According to child psychologist Peter L. Stavinoha, Ph.D, the best way to helping children make the right decisions is to describe the pros and cons of different options, compare them with one another. Looking for Napa counseling options? Explore a range of professional services tailored to your needs, providing a supportive and empathetic environment to help you navigate life’s challenges with confidence. It’s also highly beneficial for children to visit a professional counsellor like this amazing child counselling near me when facing issues they need help with. For instance, if they show symptoms of an eating disorder, they may need residential eating disorder treatment.
Play the “what if game”
Clinical director of the Westchester Group Works, Michelle P. Maidenberg, Ph.D. says “you can help your child get used to this way of thinking by providing different scenarios that require choices and fundamental problem solving.” My husband and I often come up with different examples and ask our children to make the right decision.
For instance, “what if someone asks you to get into a car, would you go?” Asking how they’d handle the situations like this, gets them thinking and also helps with relationship building.
Share your experiences
This is my personal favorite because kids learn a lot through storytelling. I often share stories from my childhood. There have been times when I’ve made good judgement calls. However, there were times when I made bad decisions and I share that too. The reality is that we don’t always get it right, but we learn from our mistakes.
We weren’t all born with the ability to make good decisions. It’s actually something we learn overtime, whether through reflection or bad experiences. In fact, we often use them as a springboard for teaching our children how to make good judgement calls.
What Parents Should Know When Teaching Kids to Make Good Judgement Calls
As the saying goes, honesty is the best policy. If you’re candid with your children, they’re probably more apt to making good judgement calls. I know my kids won’t make the right decisions all the time and that’s okay. They’ll get it right eventually. I know that being present and keeping the communication lines open will get them down the right path.
