My 3 year old son was struggling with a Buzz Lightyear puzzle. It was one that didn’t stay together well and putting in one piece would dislodge another. He’d get frustrated, but I had just read a Love and Logic article about the gift of giving our kids a chance to struggle.
I said “Keep at it.”
He worked for several more minutes and succeeded.
“Mom,” he proudly said, “I did it!
Instead of saying my normal, “good work,” I used what Love and Logic suggested and asked him “Why do you think you did so well?”
He looked at me confused and I said, “Well, did you work hard, keep practicing, or keep trying?”
He said, “I kept trying and I did it!”
–Jeni
Kerry Stutzman, MSW