Teenagers crave independence. The more self-suf-ficient we make them feel, the less hostile they are toward us.
Haim GinottWhenever I hear about a child needing something, I ask myself, 'Is it what he needs or what he wants?' It isn't always easy to distinguish between the two. A child has many real needs which can and should be satisfied. His wants are a bottomless pit. He wants, for example, to sleep with his parents. He needs to be in his own bed. At Christmas he wants every toy advertised on television. He needs only one or two.
Haim GinottResponsibility is fostered by allowing children a voice and wherever indicated a choice in matters that affect them.
Haim GinottHow can we help a child change from undependable to dependable, from a mediocre student to a capable student, from someone who won't amount to very much to someone who will count for something. The answer is at once both simple and complicated: We treat a child as if he already is what we would like him to become.
Haim Ginott