Submitted By: Lavell Foster
You drive them to school. You attend their sports games. You even have an occasional meal with them. Yet, you still feel like the relationship with your teenager is superficial at best. You want to be "the go to person" for your teenager, but are not sure how to "break into their world." There may not even be a lot of conflict between you two, but you still feel more like strangers than confidantes.
Wouldn't it be great if you could connect with your teenager? If you could begin the process of tearing down the walls and help establish some emotional trust and closeness? As a parent you cannot force your teenager to open up to you. All you can do is create a relational environment, that over time, she will know that she can come to you with her problems. A relationship which she knows she will be heard, rather than lectured. An environment where he is certain he can be encouraged rather than ridiculed. A relationship filled with dialogues of sound advice and discussion rather than parental monologues and attempts to control.
So how do you begin the process of connecting with your teenager? Here are some suggestions that will take a minimum of 5 minutes per day to enhance the rapport with your teenager
1. Become an observer
A direct key into connecting with your teenager is to find out what influences them or what captures their attention. Where do they spend most of their time? Maybe your son spends most of his time on gaming with his friends, or connecting with them on social networking sites. Perhaps your daughter finds community with her friends on her athletic team or spending time with her friends. By observing, you will gather important information about your teenager that can be a doorway to future discussion.
2. Become a learner
Once you have discovered what your teenager likes and what influences their attention, learn more about it and then begin discussing it. The best way to learn about something is to ask non-threatening questions to your teenager about what they like. Non-threatening questions acquire more information rather than demonstrate the need for justification.
For example, instead of saying "Why do you like this Facebook site?" try saying "This Facebook site is really interesting. Can you show me some more?" The former can cause your teenager to become defensive raising the need to justify what he enjoys. The latter already communicate his hobby is valid and the fact that you are interested in leaning more about it. Everyone likes to spend time talking about their interests. For teenagers, it makes them feel intelligent and mature. In addition, we all like spending time with those that share in interest in what we like. So, it is with your teenager.
3. Be an encourager
View the adolescent years as a learning process. Their judgment and critical thinking skills are developing. This is part of the developmental task they must go through. Teenagers make mistakes. Some intentional, but I believe most of them are unintentional. Just as certain that teenagers will make these blunders; parents will get frustrated during this process. Their decisions will not make any sense to you, and their mistakes can be tiresome. But, when the dust settles, teenagers need to be encouraged. They need to know that they are more valuable to you than their failures. Encouragement comes in many forms. Verbal affirmations, physical hugs, a well written note, calm demeanor and tone of voice are just a few examples that can encourage your teenager. Even more, catch your teenager doing something right and tell him.
4. Be a participator
For most teenagers, relationships are more important to them than wealth or prestige. Therefore, choose to become a participant in their world. If you know what captures their attention then find someway to participate with them, even if you do not enjoy it. Many teenagers also value social causes and many choose to participate in them. Find a local community organization that needs volunteers and invite your teenager along. Get creative and find deliberate ways to stay in touch with your teenager.
5. Be willing to get some help with your relationship
Often, parents and teenagers can get stuck in rut. Relationships sometimes need outside help to bring clarity and insight. Be willing to seek help from a qualified counselor that specializes in teenagers and parenting relationships. If you go to together, it will make your teenager feel less like the main cause of the problem.
What about you? Do you know what captures the attention of your teenager?
What observations can you make? Are you investing the time in finding out more about your teenager? What do you need to do to encourage your teenager before your head hits the pillow tonight? When is the next time you can take 5 minutes to go to Starbucks with your teenager?
Submitted By: Maria Cummings
The magical that can only come from Disney has made its way into almost every industry in today's retail market, especially when it comes to Disney baby products. No matter what Disney character you like, you can find a product with your beloved character--clothing, shoes, toys, games, hair accessories, videos, and other products. Disney has definitely earned its place in everyone's hearts.
But in the case of baby products, Disney has quickly become an industry leader. Disney baby products have made sure all popular Disney characters are displayed on most items and gear. You can get a Buzz Lightyear themed bottle or Belle plastered on a cute set of toddler cutlery and dishes. A Mickey Mouse pacifier can also be yours is you prefer. The possibilities are endless; you can be certain each latest Disney character will be available in retail discount outlets and department stores as well as toy stores and supermarkets. There is simply no end to the places Disney will go; it is highly likely they are planning further expansions at this very moment.
There are other items offered by Disney baby products and manufactured by Safety 1st, such as high-end strollers, swings, high chairs, play yards, car seats, and travel systems. Safety 1st is a well-known, highly trusted baby product manufacturer. Because Safety 1st teamed up with Disney, rest assured the products they create together meet the highest quality and safety standards that provide complete satisfaction to all parents.
Out of all the baby items you purchase, your stroller will be the one that receives the longest period of use. Because of this fact, you need to do the research in order to find a model that offers great features and equally great prices. And before you buy the stroller of your choice, try it out in the store. Some stores allow you to push and load the display strollers so you can test their sturdiness. When you do try one out, ask yourself the following questions. Was it difficult to open and fold? Can you easily turn it one-handed? Allow dad the opportunity to do the same if he comes along, especially if he plans on operating it in the future. And if he will be, look for a stroller with handle bars that adjust and can change height.
The Disney stroller made by Disney baby products is among the best strollers available in today's market because it is reasonably priced and superbly made. For instance, the Disney stroller by Disney baby products is a wonderful baby item that comes in a two-piece package named the Propack LX Travel System by Disney Baby. This Disney stroller includes many features that any mother will appreciate. And this travel system comes equipped with a car seat capable of locking into its matching Disney stroller; this will come in handy for not waking your sleeping baby to go inside the store. You can use the stroller for optimum comfort when your baby becomes bigger. And comfortable it is. This Disney Stroller by Disney Baby Products comes with plush cushioning, an adjustable canopy, and double seat belts.
Submitted By: Colby Brister
Who’s Having This Baby Anyway?
You have married the man of your dreams and the two of you are about to experience the most blessed event of your lives, the birth of your baby. And who wants to be in attendance? His mother! From day one she has pushed his favorite recipes down your throat and told you how to wash his clothes and press his slacks with a perfect pleat. Will it never end? Well, if there was ever a time, it is now here. Otherwise, she will be telling you how to deliver your baby as well. Enough is enough.
Okay, we are going to use tact and wisdom. Outsmart her at her own game. Have your husband talk to her. After all it is his Mom, not yours. But he is afraid he will hurt her feelings and although he doesn’t want her there anymore than you do, he can’t bring himself to do it.
Find another way to make her feel invaluable at this special time but also at a distance. Play on her sympathies. Express how very much just the two of have discussed being by yourselves for this blessed event but because you want her to have a very important role in grandchild’s birth, could she just wait in the waiting room and call all the relatives once the baby arrives?
You have opted to have your Mom there and due to your modesty you really don’t want your mother-in-law seeing you like that. Of course she will protest and she may even get angry but stick to your guns. This is your special time and you have nothing to feel bad about.
The easiest thing to do would be to handle this entire situation before you even go to the hospital for delivery. She could go with you for a couple sonograms. Maybe she could attend a couple doctor visits. But you have to draw the line somewhere and the line has to be exactly where you want it to be. If all the tact in the world fails to work, be firm, expect her wrath, but tell her like it is. Your Mom has always been there for you, and other than your husband she is the only other person you want in the birthing room. One never fail option would be to tell the hospital staff or your doctor of your dilemma and they will simply tell her the number of people allowed in the room is limited. Just make sure and call your Mom right away and make sure she gets there first.
So, try and be as kind as possible. After all she is going to be around for a long time and you can always maintain hope that over those years she improves with age. But whatever you choose, it is your choice to make so pull your shoulders back, stick out your chin and persevere. Otherwise, she will be telling you how to bring up baby. Oh, dear.
Doc. No.: CBFADS729
Submitted By: Sheena Vc
While indulging in hiking with family including baby in tow, having a baby back pack to carry the child is very essential. Parents would definitely like to have this as part of the hiking or camping gear since it saves them a lot of hassles in respect of handling the baby while trekking or hiking. It would be great fun to embark on a hiking activity with babies as it would be a great new experience for the kids. The babies love outdoors so they can be least fuzzy at such times. Added to this the back pack manufactures also have come up with baby hiking back packs which can keep them quite comfortably.
Baby hiking back packs should be comfortable for both the kids as well as the parents. Comfort is the by word since the exercise of carrying the baby around while hiking should be enjoyable for both the carrier and the carried. Baby back packs can be of different varieties depending on the age of the babies. Front baby hiking carriers are recommended for babies from one to five months old. These are primarily for giving head and neck support. Care has to be taken to ensure that infants do not get into an uncomfortable position due to constant shifting of their bodies.
Back hiking baby back packs are ideal for babies from about six months old upwards. These can be used once the baby is able to sit up on its own. A comfortable baby can be carried around in these back packs for a couple of hours provided the carrier is well rested and fit and there is enough of essential food as well as other accessories for the baby on hand. These back packs usually have special facilities to hold all the necessities required for the baby.
Since hiking with the baby requires the baby to be kept in back packs for long hours it is very much necessary to see that the back pack really is very comfortable for the baby. For this the back pack should support the baby weight without giving strain to the baby’s back and thighs. The baby should be able to spread its thigh well within the carrier. The baby carrier should have good ventilation to keep the baby in good condition. This can also be advantageous to the person carrying the baby.
Carrying the baby in back pack while hiking can be thoroughly uncomfortable if we do not use good quality back packs. So, we should always look for well designed back packs to keep us comfortable for the hikes. That is to say the back pack should not give us back ache or shoulder pains if we carry the baby for long hours while hiking.
Keeping kids happy while traveling makes the trip enjoyable for both the parent and the child and use of baby hiking back packs makes hiking with babies a very pleasant experience and helps to keep the baby in high spirits apart from the joy of simplifying the task of carrying the child around.
Submitted By: Brenna A. Welker
Motherhood is a very special and fulfilling stage in a woman's life. However, this can be intimidating and scary at the beginning too. First time mommies are wary if they will ever be a good mom to their kids. They are nervous about caring for the fragile baby. Well all of these are understandable, so what you need to do is prepare well for the arrival of your newborn.
Here are 20 things that you need to do to prepare for a new baby:
1. Ask tips from your mom or mother-in-law - They say mothers know best, so who else should you talk to when it comes to parenting but your own parents, specifically your mom. You should seek for advices and tips especially for the first few days of your baby.
2. Read magazines and books about parenting - There are many things that a single woman does not know about being a mom so it would help to read magazines or books about parenting.
3. Watch some video tutorials - Do you actually know how to change diapers? Well you might want to check different video tutorials on how to do these things.
4. Get the baby's room ready - Most parents are excited to arrange the baby room. Of course, you need to make sure that everything here is in order -proper ventilation, safe interiors, no harmful substances and best of all decorated with baby items and toys.
5. Choose the name - This can take a long time so you might want to start thinking during the first trimester of your pregnancy.
6. Buy baby clothes - It is also great if you will start your baby shopping even before you give birth. Buy baby clothes that are made from 100% cotton.
7. Buy a baby monitor - You will surely need this to monitor the baby even when they are sleeping.
8. Prepare bath items - Babies can be very fragile so it is necessary to make sure that you will buy hypoallergenic items. Items that you should include are no tears bubble bath, lotion, baby wipes, cotton wool, nappy sacks and others.
9. Buy feeding items - It would also be great to prepare feeding bottles, pacifiers, breast pump and other items that they need for feeding. Make sure to sterilize everything before using.
10. You should stock up on baby formula - This is if you are planning to formula-feed your baby.
11. Prepare the breast pump - If you plan to breastfeed the baby but you also need to go back to work then you might want to prepare the breast pump.
12. Pack your hospital gear ahead of time - This is to make sure that you will not forget anything the moment you feel like you are ready to give birth. You should include camera, video camera, some clothes for you and for the baby.
13. Be sure you are ready for all the hospital bills - Of course you do not want to worry about hospital bills so make sure that you are prepared financially before you reach your second term.
14. Learn about the postnatal checkups and vaccines for the baby - You should learn the schedule of various vaccines to give to your newborn baby to avoid diseases and health problems.
15. Choose the hospital where you want to give birth - It is good to have a hospital in mind so you know where to run in case the schedule gets ahead of time.
16. Prepare your video camera - It would be nice if you or another family member will be able to capture the first moment of you and the baby so prepare your video camera ahead of time. Make sure your husband knows exactly what kind of shots and angles you want.
17. Prepare the announcement materials ahead of time - It is also ideal to prepare the announcement materials that you will send to all your friends the moment you give birth.
18. Read about post-partum depression - There are cases wherein moms experience post-partum depression so it would be good to be knowledgeable about the matter.
19. Arrange your schedules - If you are working in a business or office then it is essential that you arrange your schedule especially after you give birth to be able to spend quality time with your newborn.
20. Study about educational plans - This is probably too early but it would not hurt if you will study about educational plans for your baby ahead of time.
Submitted By: Jenny Talorman
The physical benefits of a child playing with outdoor toys are evident in children who enjoy playing outside. It is a not secret that obesity, along with other health issues, is a growing problem in children and is part due to lack of time kids spend outdoors. Being overweight increases the possibility of many different health conditions. When a child plays outdoors, riding a bike, swinging or running amuck he or she is more likely to stay at a healthy weight, an important precursor for their adult body weight.
Obesity is only one problem that is associated with kids not playing outdoors; many kids are vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D is important for the body to absorb calcium and control the protein and rennin that is associated with blood pressure. When kids spend time outdoors, the sunshine helps their bodies to make the vitamin D that they need for ideal overall health.
Because playing outdoors with toys gives kids the opportunity to run, climb, jump, ride, yell and use excess energy, it can also lead to improved behaviour and better sleep. Playing is also important because it builds muscles, conditions the lungs and strengthens muscles.
Not only is outdoor playing important for physical reasons but also for emotional and social reasons. It can encourage improvement in a child’s ability to reason and think logically. Taking risks and using their imaginations are also encouraged. When kids play outdoors with other kids, it builds social skills that are needed to form relationships throughout life. Playing outdoors makes kids happier and offers many development perks.
Gardening is one activity that kids can benefit from in many different ways. Garden toys help build a strong relationship between a child and nature. Gardening helps kids learn patience as they tend to fruits and vegetables as they grow. They also learn about how to nurture and what it takes for something to live. Working as a family in a garden teaches kids how to share and work together.
Working in a garden, kids are surrounded by moments filled with teaching. With garden toys, they are able to learn about the world hands on. Gardening also has a calming effect; a time to connect with nature and relax. Walking, bending and moving provide a great and fun way to exercise. Planting a fruit or vegetable garden makes it much easier to feed children healthier and makes kids more eager to choose better foods.
Watching a seed turn into a fruit or vegetable is a miracle of life and kids who garden learn how to appreciate that. Kids see that sunlight, water, dirt and care are necessities in the plant world as well as in the human world. Gardening give kids a way to love the simplest things that life has to offer.
The benefits of being outdoors are many and it is sad to see that the amount of time kids spend outdoors has drastically declined over the years. Time spent on games and television instead of outdoors can never be taken back or replaced.
Submitted By: David Beart
It’s every parent’s nightmare; their child comes home from a high school football game with alcohol on their breath. They probably fiddle with the dog or try quickly to make their way to their room where they think they can escape unscathed. As a parent, your first instinct is to rant and rave about the dangers of alcohol – not to mention driving. Then punishing them for eternity and remaining steamy mad for weeks to come. After all, they broke your trust in a way that could have substantial consequences. For other parents, their teen’s drinking habits (or not) remain a secret for a while. The best advice is to assume that they are and keep looking out for signs.
Signs that your teen is drinking are of course, dwindling alcohol supplies of your own at home. If you notice that your liquor cabinet or a beer or two are disappearing, suspect the kids. If your teen is driving, then inspecting their car for beer caps or can – hidden under the seats or in the trunk may give you some clues. You can also find clues by making sure that you have access to their Facebook accounts and other social networking. Kids today have all sorts of code words for things like alcohol or sex that they use to try and fool parents. If you notice a pattern or start seeing posts about things your child and their friends have done – remain suspicious and by all means keep digging.
Other signs could be falling grades, skipping school or a drastic change in friends. If your child has had a best friend since grade school and suddenly hangs with a different crowd, you can be assured they are getting pressured in many ways. This isn’t to say that a change in friends or that a certain crowd at school should be assumed bad – but there are reasons teens change friends. It could be that your child’s old friends started drinking or partying and they didn’t want to fool around with that. If so – good job mom and dad!
Many people believe that dabbling with alcohol or drugs for a teen is just the normal course of growing up. To an extent that may be true. Still, the deciding factor in whether or not your child continues to drink is your reaction. It isn’t wise to confront them when they have been drinking. But you do have to deal with quickly and the consequences at home should be drastic enough to leave an impression. It might not be enough to just take things away. The bottom line is that drinking as a teen breaches your trust in them and they have to work very hard to rebuild it with you. Not to mention, it could lead to some dangerous activities for your child. Don’t ground them for two weeks and then give in to the pouting and whining about them having to stay home all weekend. Stick to your guns and let them know that not only did they break your rules – they broke the law.
Another piece of advice is to not believe everything your teen tells you. It’s amazing how many parents just automatically assume their teen is telling the truth. Don’t be afraid to call other parents to make sure your kids are where they say they are – and that they are being supervised. Most parties for teens go on at homes where the parents are out for the night or go away for the weekend. Taking a drive by of your own may feel intrusive but can give you a bird’s eye view of what they are really doing. If you suspect something is going on, following them around discreetly can give you a lot of information. After all, their safety is YOUR responsibility. Remember that even the smartest of teens – don’t have a fully developed mind that allows them to see around the corners in life.
Teen drinking is fairly common. One survey among high school students indicated that 2.5 out of every 3 students admit to trying alcohol at least once. 2 out of every 3 teens admit to being drunk. Parents need to remain cognizant of behavioral and personality changes in their child and commit to seeing teen drinking as a serious offense with serious consequences.
Submitted By: Pat Munro
What do you do to keep your kids safe in this cyber world? It starts with you, the parents.
You alone are the security wall that keeps your kids safe. If you don’t take the proper precautions and inform yourself of all the possibilities then your kids will be at risk. Do not allow anyone else, from their friends to the internet itself to watch over you kids. Be vigilant when it comes to cell phone safety and security. Responsibility will inevitably land on you, so do everything you can to protect your kids and yourself.
Radiation-To start, there are still questions regarding the link between cell phones and the electromagnetic radiation they emit.. If your child, tween or teen talks a lot on the phone (likely all of them) it might be a good idea to get them a headset, just to be careful.
Cyberbullying- It seems to be in the news a lot lately, for good reason. Cyberbullying is when kids use the Internet to harass, intimidate, embarrass, or demean others. This is true with cell phones too. Kids can use cell phones to send threatening text messages or make threatening phone calls, and cell phones make it easier to do these things without being detected by parents or teachers. Many cell phones are now equipped with cameras that can take still pictures and short videos, which can then be sent to other mobile phones or uploaded to the internet. If you fear your child is being cyberbullied, contact the police right away. They have the ability to link you to different organizations which can help, as well as instruct you on the laws regarding cyberbullying in your area.
Extra Fees- Most cell phone plans charge additional fees for accessing the web and text messaging, and kids can easily rack up high charges on cell phones by going over their plan minutes, downloading expensive ring tones, music and games, and sending too many text messages. Your child could also sign up for one of several services that will send him or her text messages, news alerts, photos and other content for a set fee per message. If you are worried about your child racking up big charges on his or her phone, you might want to consider getting a pre-paid cell phone. With pre-paid phones, you buy a certain number of minutes at the outset, and if you want more minutes, you have to pay for them up-front. This can help limit your child's cell phone use and prevent surprise phone bills.
Web Safety - Many cell phones have wireless internet capabilities that allow kids to browse the web, instant message their friends, and download ringtones, wallpaper, videos, music, and games. Mobile phones present a challenge for the protective parent because they are often used outside of the home, away from parents' watchful eyes. It is much more difficult to monitor the internet activities of your children on a mobile phone than on a home computer, and kids may be able to access adult web sites, videos, photos and text messages through their cell phones.
Stranger Danger- Cell phones can allow strangers to contact your child without you ever knowing about it. As with instant messaging and chat on your home computer, your child needs to understand they should never give out any personal information to people they don't know, including their phone number, address, full name, or school.
Keep it Close- Losing a cell phone can be dangerous, because children sometimes store their personal contact information in them. Cell phones are also easy targets for theft, so make sure your child stores his or her cell phone in a safe place and doesn’t call attention to it in public. Also, your children should know to never let strangers borrow their phone, the stranger could steal it, access his/her info, or rack up tones of fees without anyone being the wiser.
Best Advice- Check you kids cell phone bill every month. You will get a greater understanding of what your child is doing with his or her cell phone including internet use and other services.
Submitted By: Carl Fletcher
It is never too soon to start talking, reading and singing to your baby as all such communication helps the speech development of your baby. From the day your baby arrives he or she will pay particular attention to your voice and the sounds you make. The baby’s brain records these sounds and speech patterns before slowly beginning to understand them and process them so they to can develop the ability to communicate.
In the early days your baby will look to express himself or herself in the only way they know how, by use of facial expressions and of course by crying. Of course babies cry for a number of different reasons but whatever the reason they are seeking to communicate with you. Over time the crying is replaced with other sounds that in part may resemble words before they can then say words and sentences.
Through talking to your baby, about anything and everything, they will tune in to your voice and begin to appreciate all the different sounds that go into making words. The more you talk the greater the number of opportunities your baby has to understand these sounds and words.
By looking at your baby and making eye contact they will begin to understand that you are talking to them and communicating with them. Indeed that they are part of this communication process and should respond to you.
This is further enhanced by stopping and listening to them as they begin to make sounds and gurgle in response. Allow your baby time to have their say before you then say something back to them, as you would in adult conversation. This interaction informs your baby that communicating is a two-way thing and that they are being listened to. What they tell you is equally as important as what you say to them.
Singing to your baby is another great way to interact with your baby that allows them to hear words and reinforces the sounds that make up the words. It also offers them variety from talking, which is no bad thing. After all we sometimes get fed up when someone talks too much and just won’t shut up!
As well as reinforcing sounds and words, singing helps the baby develop listening skills and that they need to wait their turn rather than just talking and being the centre of attention.
Reading with your baby further enhances their development in terms of forming words and listening. However, it also adds another dimension to the interaction, a visual element that brings the words to life. Picture books enable baby’s to associate words with a whole range of objects, animals and colours. From red tractors to cats and dogs to popular TV cartoon characters, books cater for all tastes across a multitude of subjects.
Reading offers further variety for your baby and more so than talking and singing is a great activity that can form part of a daily routine. Reading a book with them at bedtime helps bring on their communication skills but can also help them to drift off to sleep, a win win situation!
Submitted By: Richard Armen
Anyone with children surely realizes that the time will come when it's time to trust their children to stay home alone. This is always a nerve-wracking time for parents, and it can also be a very touchy subject- some parents find it acceptable to let their young children come home from school alone, while others wouldn't dream of leaving their high-school students home alone for an afternoon.
The decision to stop hiring a babysitter when you'll be out of the house is one that must involve careful consideration. There is no set age when a child becomes responsible enough – so you must consider your child's responsibility level. Then, too, is the responsibility level of his or her friends. Do you trust them to behave themselves when home alone, or will they pressure your son or daughter into bad behaviors? Do the parents of your child's friends already allow them to stay home alone? This might factor into your decision, too.
Making the choice to allow your child to stay home alone isn't just about your child. It's also about the neighborhood in which you live and the security of your home. If you live in a safe neighborhood where parents routinely entrust their kids with a lot of responsibility, you might feel better about leaving your kids home alone.
Of course, it's also a decision about money. Maybe you must work long hours, or can't afford daycare or a babysitter. In this situation, you might find yourself leaving the kids home alone more than you ordinarily would. While this is certainly understandable, it is also important to set aside the resources needed to make your home as safe as possible while you're away.
There's nothing wrong with worrying about your kids when they are home by themselves, but you can help yourself feel more at ease by installing simple home security devices. Outdoor lighting, door and window alarms, and surveillance cameras will all make your home safer, and not just when your kids are home alone. Consider a "nanny cam" or hidden camera, which can transmit a real-time view of your home over the internet to your computer when you're away from home.
Home security is as much about information as it is about security devices. Talk with your child to make sure they feel comfortable staying home by themselves. Make sure they know how to get inside, and what to do in case of an emergency - from an intruder to a fire. If your kids are coming home from school to an empty house, leave a spare key in a disguised rock or thermometer so that they can get inside if they've forgotten theirs. Leave the phone number of a trusted neighbor, and tell them how to contact you if they feel the need.
Finally, establish house rules with your child. Can they invite friends over? Throw a party while you're away? Watch TV and eat junk food all day? Besides outlining acceptable behaviors while they're home alone, make sure that you reinforce the importance of using door and window locks, and arming the alarm system.
Submitted By: William U. Steinmetz
Some parents views parenting as confusing. Some acts that parents do to their children have sense especially to their own children while it is extreme, plain wrong and outdated in the eyes of others. The things you want and you don’t want to do unto your children really depend on you. Others view parenting as raising their children as spoiled brat which oftentimes the root causes of disrespect in the society. While others raise their children in a rigid manner and some secure a safe and tender loving direction. No matter which way you choose to raise your children, it’s always parenting.
A number views parenting as no discipline if you really love your kids. Others are so meticulous on landing a hand to their children and just ensuring that their children is being confronted every time they did a wrong act. That is okay and no questions about it. Parenting totally depends on what style do parents use in raising their children. The fact of providing them the good care and counsel they need when they grow is a total experience of being a parent. Discipline is good but it does not mean that you have to hit your child every now and then as he makes anything wrong or bad. The proper way is to teach them and correct their wrong ways. Discipline doesn’t only mean strict parenting but is have something to do with performing your role as their parent.
When you are a parent, your children are totally dependent on your guidance and directions and it is up to your influence on which direction they chooses to face. If you are fond of setting boundaries, your children also learn the reality of life and that is the ideal thing. On the other hand, if you try to set no boundaries to your children, they grow totally dependent and would not realize the existence of reality. Parenting is not something that you should enroll in school but rather reflecting and thinking in advance while weighing things up for your children. You should not coin the word goodness and badness to your children but rather teaching them what is ideal and what exist. In that way they grow smart, critical and responsible.
Others say that parenting is when you cuddle the baby twenty four hours a day and giving everything your child wants. The truth is you are just making your child’s head bigger. The knowledge of the normal growth and development is vital in parenting since this will be your guide in dealing with your growing child. An infant and toddler are narcissistic so it is okay to give them what they need. But, you can’t do this in a teenager since they are now on the concrete operation of cognitive thinking. The real essence of parenting is something that you give them when they need you and not replacing a material thing to compensate with your absence. Therefore, parenting is when you are beside your children ready to give them a hand when they need you.
Parenting is love. But it does not mean that you will always get them out of trouble because you love them. You are spoiling them. You need to let them realize that reality exists and that they should learn the fatality of reality. Once you have achieved this task, you’ll grow old with your children beside you even though they have their own families. Always remember that when you are a parent you always give them what they need not that they desire.
