| I was known to share this bit of wisdom with many | | | | - Take care of yourself |
| parents before I myself became a parent. I was | | | | - Have fun |
| awfully proud of myself for coming up with what I | | | | - Be flexible |
| thought was an amazing bit of insight. Then we had | | | | Take care of yourself |
| children of our own, and I realized just how true that | | | | As parents, we have too many excuses to focus on |
| statement is. | | | | taking care of others while our mental, emotional, |
| Not only is parenting the most difficult job we will ever | | | | physical, and spiritual health is lacking. Let's face it, we |
| be asked to do, but it is the one we are often least | | | | can't take care of others if we are not taking care of |
| trained to do. | | | | ourselves. So what does it mean to take care of you? |
| Throughout history, parenting practices have simply | | | | I believe that may be a topic for an entire post. I |
| been passed on from generation to generation - what | | | | appreciate any comments you may have on this topic, |
| worked, or what didn't work, was passed down in | | | | and I will write more on it later. |
| hopes that the next generation could make good on | | | | Have fun! |
| previous work. It's only been in the past 50 years that | | | | Our kids look up to us for all that is good in life - so |
| research has started to focus on the art and science | | | | show them! Have fun with them! This job of parenting |
| of parenting. | | | | is meant to be enjoyable. Play a game with them - |
| We learned the most about parenting from our | | | | there are a lot of great age appropriate games out |
| parents. Good or bad, for better or worse, and despite | | | | there for all ages. Play Barbie or Army men with them. |
| trying to purposely ignore them through our rebellious | | | | Watch a movie with them and ask them about what |
| teenage years, we learned what they modeled, as did | | | | they see, think, or feel about it - you'll be amazed at |
| our mate. Working to implement the parenting | | | | what you hear. Take a family trip - there are amazing |
| techniques we learned, combined with those our | | | | places within a few minutes, few hours, or few days |
| spouse learned, similar or different, can be an arduous | | | | travel, share them with your family. Share your favorite |
| task - add to that the pressure we may feel to be | | | | hobby with your kids - tell them about your hobby and |
| "PERFECT", because our child's very future weighs on | | | | why you enjoy it so much. |
| every decision we make! | | | | By showing your kids how to have fun, and sharing |
| Thank goodness today we have volumes of | | | | with them fun times, you build bonds of mutual respect |
| information on how to be the "Perfect Parent". Go into | | | | that will follow them throughout their lives, and you help |
| your local bookstore, or just look on line, and you well | | | | them to develop and learn in a positive direction. |
| find a wealth of information gently guiding you towards | | | | Be flexible |
| the nirvana of enlightened parenting. Unfortunately, as | | | | Inflexibility in discipline and expectations can often be |
| many of us have found out, each guide suggests | | | | the most stressful for us as individual parents, and as a |
| something distinctly different. The last time I checked, | | | | parenting team with our partner. I will say that if you |
| there are a million different perspectives on parenting - | | | | work hard on points 1 & 2; take care of yourself and |
| and that's just from Dr. Phil and Oprah. Searching for | | | | have fun, discipline will not be as much of an issue. |
| "The Answer" to "Parenting Perfection" can be an | | | | However, it should still be said that discipline is an |
| overwhelming and confusing experience. | | | | experiment that requires time and patience. Find what |
| It is my hope to simplify matters for you to help you do | | | | works for you, your mate, and your children - time-out |
| the best possible parenting job you can. I hope, at the | | | | and natural consequences are two of the best |
| very least, you take away the idea that "The perfect | | | | methods I have found. Whatever you choose, use |
| is the enemy of the good" - that you don't have to be | | | | discipline from a position of teaching and guiding, and |
| perfect as a parent. As long as you are honestly | | | | not a position of anger and control. With this in mind, |
| acting in the best interests of your child and family, you | | | | you are well on your way to effective and positive |
| are probably doing a pretty good job. Here are three | | | | parenting. |
| simple ideas to help you along your parenting journey: | | | | |