| Ever wonder what it takes to be a successful parent? | | | | when things get difficult. Patience, my dear. |
| In the paragraphs that follow, I will attempt to provide | | | | Connectedness means being joined or linked firmly |
| you with an answer to that question. I call these my | | | | together. When applying this trait to parenting, we tend |
| "Seven C's of Successful Parenting." Confidence is a | | | | to think of the bond or connection between a child and |
| belief in one's own abilities. It is also an attribute that | | | | his or her parents. A disconnected parent is essentially |
| can determine whether or not a parent is in charge or | | | | just "a roommate with leverage." Spend time with your |
| if it is the child that has the upper hand. Confidence is | | | | child. Get to know your child. Be caring and |
| power. Children will respond more positively to a parent | | | | compassionate. A healthy bond will lead to a sense of |
| brimming with confidence than to a parent oozing of | | | | mutual respect which leads to happier parents and |
| self-doubt or uncertainty. Stand firm, speak assertively, | | | | better-off children. Common-sense is the ability to |
| and know that you are doing the right thing. | | | | make rational decisions and use good judgment. If you |
| Consistency is the ability to maintain a particular | | | | are already struggling with two difficult children and |
| standard or to be able to repeat a particular task with | | | | then decide to have another, you do not possess this |
| minimal variation. Consistency brings a sense of | | | | trait. Common-sense is difficult to learn. You either |
| predictability to a child's life. It lets him know what to | | | | have it or you don't. If you don't, then I would highly |
| expect when his behavior is not appropriate or | | | | recommend seeking and taking the advice of |
| acceptable. When consequences change periodically | | | | someone that does. If you do, then make sure you use |
| and are at irregular intervals, then a child will learn that | | | | it. Be logical when parenting, not emotional. |
| misbehavior might not lead to any consequences at all. | | | | Consequences are essentially the results of our |
| The same consequences should be given for the | | | | actions or behavior. They can be positive or they can |
| same behaviors each and every time. Communication | | | | be negative. Effective consequences are the root of |
| is the exchange of information between two people. It | | | | effective discipline and can ultimately shape a child's |
| involves a sense of mutual understanding and | | | | future behavior. For instance, giving a child what he or |
| sympathy. Parents simply cannot be parents without | | | | she wants in order to tame a raging tantrum results in |
| this component. Communication must be clear, open, | | | | a positive consequence earned for throwing a tantrum. |
| and understanding in order to be effective. Children | | | | A parent that does this is not using effective |
| often have a lot to say and putting up walls or refusing | | | | consequences. One can expect that child to throw |
| to discuss certain matters will only cause them to seek | | | | another blistering tantrum next time he or she wants |
| the advice of others or to bottle it all up until a breaking | | | | something. Choose consequences that are logical and |
| point is finally reached. Be approachable and willing to | | | | fair, not just easy or convenient. Now that you have |
| discuss issues without criticism or rejection. Effective | | | | read the descriptions above, think about what they |
| communication is essential to successful parenting. | | | | mean to you and how they relate to your own |
| Composure means having a calm and steady control | | | | parenting style. Instill these qualities into your parenting |
| over one's emotions. Out-of-control parents typically | | | | practices and watch as the relationship you have with |
| raise out-of-control children. Yelling and screaming at a | | | | your child progresses and your effectiveness as a |
| child is about as effective as giving them directions in | | | | parent improves. |
| an unfamiliar language. Parents must work to take the | | | | Chris Theisen has written several articles about child |
| emotional aspect out of their discipline practices and | | | | and teen behavior and is the creator of The Parent |
| save the positive emotions for more appropriate times. | | | | Coach Plan, a comprehensive discipline plan for |
| Children learn to exploit their parent's emotional | | | | parents. His websites offer behavior contracts, |
| weaknesses quite effectively, often leading to rifts | | | | behavior charts, and a wealth of information and |
| between parents. Keep calm and collected, even | | | | advice related to parenting. |