I listened to a Ted recording on "Agile programming for Parents". I just thought I would capture the thoughts in my blog for future reference.
The problem with all my reading on parenting is that it often doesn't really relate to very young children, like I have. However I think I can implement some of the thinking for T and then gradually over time with the others.
I know/knew nothing about software programming, let alone Agile software programming. Now, however I know it is a contrast to the "waterfall" method (where executives set long term programming goals which filter down eventually to the individual programmers). Agile programming is about small teams setting at longest two week, little goals - with the team making all decisions along the way, including necessary improvements, ideas for change etc. Sounds remarkably like "employee engagement circles" which my father established at the Ford Motor Company Broadmeadows plant in, oh, about 1980. Nothing new under the sun, and all ....
However the three points I noted:
- Adapt your parenting all the time, be open to all ideas and be flexible - don't be rigid or fixed (I love this as I think that sometimes my plunging head first into one idea and then a few weeks/months later doing something else is fickle - but really I am just AGILE!)
- Empower your children - enlist children in their upbringing, teach them independence now not later, succeed and fail on their own terms. This is about getting them to set the goals for the family alongside you and the consequences for adherence or otherwise to these goals. This could be done at a weekly family meeting.
- Tell your story - preserve the core, stimulate progress - create family mission statement - spend less time worrying about what they do wrong, and more time focussing on what they do right. "Do you know test?" Children increase self esteem the more they know of their family and the family's stories. Studies shown that those children who know things like where their parents were born, went school, etc and can tell stories about things that happened to their parents/grandparents had higher self esteem.
Lots in this one - but I love the idea of the family being this amazing, powerful, binding unit. I am so into a family mission statement - just need to convince D that it is not too cheesy and once again, not just another 'fad' of mine. But see point 1 above - it is OK if it is a 'fad', remember I am just being AGILE! Must remember to tell more stories. I am not sure if T knows even a little bit of my life prior to his birth! Wow - that is amazing thinking that - better start creating some family fables
Happiness is something we make, not find.
Agree.
I am not one (yes, you know this already, I know) for sitting back and waiting for life to happen to me. So, giddy up!
