The following is my blog entry for my newly formed Minti "group" -- (Aussie dad's tool shed) Group is in inverted comma's, because I am the only one in there at the mo'. .. just thought I might lug this out of the shed, and heave it on

to the advice section ... just in case  anybody who isn't an Aussie dad (and therefore unlikely to find the shed interesting!) could benefit from this little outburst...

"talkin' to myself again... a sign of stress??"

Here I am, alone in my shed again, and having a good ol' yarn to myself...

I know, I know, it's a bit much to expect too many Aussie dads to be passionate enough about improving their own parenting skills and enhancing others' skills to not only find out about Minti, and become members... but then to search out and join some random dad's monoloque... but I'm used to expecting a lot... and sometimes, a lot happens!!!

I think that this is important for us as all as individuals... but even more important as parents! Believing in our kids, and then communicating effectively to them that we believe in them, encouraging them to believe in themselves and in the gifts and talents and opportunities God has given them, to expect good stuff to happen... even to dream the 'impossible dream' as the old cliche song-line puts it!

I know there are kids out there that I meet every week, that I would love to have enough time with to convince them that their families message (often unspoken; sometimes, sadly, spelled out clearly!) that "you are just..... you're nothing special.... you won't amount to much... you can't do it.... you're hopeless!" is only true when they believe it and make it so!... that they have abilities and potential that will suprise them, if they ever hope enough to begin to discover it!

In case anybody happens to be listening at the shed door, whether mums or dads, I'll shout it out a little louder, "TELL THEM HOW SPECIAL, HOW VALUABLE THEY ARE!!! TELL THEM THE THINGS YOU'RE PROUD OF THEM FOR! TELL THEM IT'S ALWAYS OK TO HAVE A GO!... even if the results don't match expectations! ... and ... TELL THEM OFTEN!"