25 Positive Reminders That Can Empower Kids

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As a parent, nothing hurts your heart more than seeing your kid discouraged.

It could be from a mistake in a soccer game, a poor score on a test, or unkind words directed their way.

It hurts.

It hurts to see your child hurting, and knowing there’s no magic words you can say that will help.

As parents, you know “this too will pass”, but generic cliches don’t mean much to kids in the moment they’re down in the dumps.

Back to School Season

The backpacks are filled with school supplies, now it’s time to fill their brains with positive reminders, and small, achievable goals that can help them to feel confident and start the school year off with the right mindset.

Along with folders, notebooks, mechanical pencils and the must-have Scotch® Magic™ Tape (no other brand will do in this house), I’m sending each of my kids with their own portable Post-it® Pop-up Notes Dispenser so they can make their own reminders – for homework assignments, or things to bring in from home.

I have my own goal this school year, to send my kids with positive reminders in their backpacks and lunch boxes. It’s so easy with the lined Post-It® Super Sticky Notes– jot it down and stick it!

Maybe once a week, just a little surprise that lets them know I’m thinking of them, and encouraging them to do the right thing, be a friend to one who needs it, and even achieve that small goal.

Write It Down

You might have a personal goal to lose weight. Or to reach a sales goal in your business. Or to write out a meal plan for the week.

Goals mean little if they’re not specific, and if they’re not written down. In fact, written goals are 42% more likely to stick.*

So while telling my daughter at the bus stop, “Make it a great day!” is a fine way to send her off, I’d like to have these positive reminders stick in her brain by writing them down on a Post-It® note and sticking to her lunch box, onto her folder, or inside her backpack.

It’s subtle, just between us (you know, no need to embarrass my kid anymore than I already do).

25 Positive Reminders to Empower Kids

Kids need reminders that they have our love and support. Here are 25 positive reminders that can empower kids.

1. I had fun with you yesterday!
2. If you think someone could use a friend … be one.
3. You did a great job at ____________.
4. Do the best you can, until you know better. When you know better, do better. ~ Maya Angelou
5. Treat others as you wish to be treated.
6. Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody. ~ Kid President
7. I want to you to know that ____________.
8. You made a really good choice.
9. That was awesome what you did!
10. Do the right thing, even when no one is looking. ~ C. S. Lewis
11. I believe in you.
12. Make good choices.
13. Do or do not. There is no ‘try’. ~ Yoda
14. What you think matters to me.
15. I feel happy seeing you happy.
16. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you’ll ever know. ~ A.A. Milne
17. You’re an awesome kid.
18. I’m so proud of you!
19. I’m listening to you.
20. You make my heart happy.
21. I can tell you’re a good friend to have.
22. No one else can top the way you ____________.
23. Believe in yourself.
24. Why fit in, when you were born to stand out. ~ Dr. Seuss
25. You have a kind soul.

Kids both younger and older can set their own goals. Put your goals, your dreams, the things you want to do and remember, front and center.

*Matthews, G. (2007). The impact of commitment, accountability, and written goals on goal achievement. Paper presented at the 87th Convention of Western Psychological Association, Vancouver, B.C., Canada.

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