Do you need help with effective discipline and parenting styles?
The Importance of Parenting
Parenting is the most significant, rewarding role any human being can undertake in their life. Society owes a deep debt of gratitude to anyone who takes on this responsibility and gives it their very best. Children are our future. But we need the next generation to be responsible, hard-working, dependable, caring, thoughtful, knowledgeable, law-abiding, capable and understanding. It is a rare child that will grow up with these attributes without loving guidance from a parent or guardian. The key to rewarding parenting is to understand some basic principles of child care, developing a solid discipline plan, know what can be expected from your child at different development levels and have fun. It may take extra time and effort to be a good parent but once you have a strong foundation; it will last. It is like the story of The Three Little Pigs. The pig who built his house out of bricks found the wolf could not blow it down. The parent who builds a strong foundation will find that peer pressure, drugs, sex, homework, etc. will have less impact on your child because you gave them resiliency.
Here are the first 2 core Tips for a Rewarding Parenting Style
#1) Parenting is different than Friendship
Friendship is about being a buddy. A good friend will tell you what you want to hear, encourages anything that’s fun, isn’t judgmental, doesn’t have to be a role-model, and can’t impose discipline. But parenting is the foundation of the family. A parent is a port in a storm. The home is a place where a child can feel safe, trust the answers to their questions are right and can find a guide to lead them down the difficult path of life. Therefore, a parent needs to be an authority figure, set the rules, implement the consequences, and model acceptable behavior, beliefs, values, and priorities.
#2) Be a Tuned In Parent
A good parenting practice is always to be connected and in tune to your child. Learn the answers to all these questions on a regular basis. Who are their closest friends? (Our home was always the “hang out home” for my children and their friends. But I got to know all their friends that way.) What is their favorite color, book, animal, movie, game, or food? Do they have special sports, hobbies, activities, and interests? How are they doing in school? What is their favorite class and teacher? Is anyone bothering them? Can they come to you with questions? Do you make the time to listen to them? Where do they spend most of their time? What do they do on social media? An involved parent knows the answers to these questions. They also participate in school activities, their child’s interests, watch them play sports, share meals together, and do past times mutually. At my home, many of the most meaningful talks were around the kitchen table or on a walk. Both my children are in their 30’s, but we still go on walks or sit and around the table and talk about life. A caring parent shows their love by being involved, interested and knowledgeable about their child’s life.
In Part 2 of finding parenting rewarding, we will discuss the importance of conversations, teaching a child to be independent and finally, part 3 will talk about showing your affection.
Some other parenting resources would be The Power of Positive Parenting: A Wonderful way to Raise Children by Glenn Latham and Sidney W. Bijou. Positive Parenting in Action by Laura Ling and Rebecca Earnes. For more articles by this author on parenting go to www.supportivetalk.com.