It is so easy to be destructive – to break things  down. This is true in many areas of life. A demolition is easy  – the reconstruction takes a long time. This is true in  parenting as well. We need to be a constructive force for our  kids. Here are some thoughts on being more positive in your  parenting.

Don’t berate your kids when they are wrong. They will make  mistakes. Correct them quickly and move on.

Learning by experience is better than micromanaging your  children’s experiences. Back off and let them do things on  their own.

Praise is very important. Kids need to hear it daily.  Recognizing someone’s talent is worth the world to them.

A healthy meal makes everyone feel better. A piece of  chocolate does too but too much chocolate doesn’t. Balance is  better than excess.

Using creative skills in the arts expands your mind and  relaxes your spirit. If you draw a picture, draw it again and  then again; the last one will be better than the first. Hang in  there and keep trying.

Wake up some morning before others, grab a cup of coffee,  go outside and listen to the birds. Remember, everyone needs a  “time out” once in a while.

A glass of wine is better than many. Less beer is good too.

A table game is better than TV. TV and video games are  not constructive or educational in any way.

Eat more fruit and less starch. Eat more salad and less  meat.

Walk more. Park farther away. A little exercise is better  than none. One less dessert is better than daily ones.

Respecting and accepting people is constructive. Criticizing everyone and everything is destructive.

Everyone needs to experience some nature. Get outside.

Take none of your blessings for granted – appreciate them all

Violence is never a good answer. It never works. unless you are killing your TV. feels right.

Even doing a little service to others feels good and  feels right.

Celebrate peace. Recognize and appreciate peaceful  experiences.

Work for fairness. There is less equality in this  world than you think. We need more of it.

I have provided a few thoughts in this article. Be  constructive in your life and in your community. I am taking a  sabbatical from writing for a few months. I hope this article  keeps you positive until I begin writing again for the  Gloucester Times and Salem News. I want to thank the papers for  carrying my words for the past few years. I appreciate their  help and look forward to being part of their work once again in  the fall. Enjoy the summer. I am available for comments and  questions at questions@DrBrianOrr.Com.