Both adults and children often struggle with perfectionism, beating themselves up over every mistake and becoming frustrated when they can’t do something well right from the start. Although it’s fine to strive for excellence in the important things in life, perfectionism can rob us of joy and a zest for life. But there are things we adults can do to help children keep perfectionism in check – and in helping the kids, we are likely to help ourselves too!
Marti joined Bryan Piatt on KARE 11 News at 11 with some helpful advice. Here are her tips:
1) Focus your comments on effort, process and enjoyment, not outcomes.
2) Teach strategies for coping with frustration.
3) Ask, “What can you learn for the next time you try this?”
4) Set a good example of how to keep mistakes and imperfection in perspective.
5) Engage your child and your family in activities that are not your areas of excellence but fun or interesting anyway!
