Parenting

I am passionate about this subject for many reasons.  Of course one of the reasons is because I am a parent, but I also pay close attention to the results of parenting, both good and bad in the attitudes, behavior and outlook of children everywhere, both young and old.  

I believe that everything starts at home.  Your attitude, outlook, behavior and beliefs all start with the example set before you and determine who you ultimately become. I also believe that we can change things along the way and make good choices for ourselves if we have not been given the right foundation. The point is that it is extremely important as a parent to create that solid foundation at home from the first chance you get all the way to when your kids are adults.  After all, adult children still need parents that believe in them, are proud of them and appreciate them.

If parents made it a top priority to make each stage of their child’s life a smooth transition, they would see thriving kids become thriving teens that become adults making great decisions and finding true happiness in their lives.  Below are in my opinion the important stages of each child’s life.

Stage one - from the time your child enters this world or becomes a part of your life, you need to create an environment of peace, happiness, comfort, and consistency.  Whether your life is running smooth or your world is turning upside down, your most important job is to keep your child or children focused on all the good and to create a foundation of love.  These little human beings don’t need to feel chaos but instead, need to feel peace and comfort in order to thrive.

Stage two - when your children are going through their school years they should get constant encouragement, support, quality time as well as rest from the longer days and information overload.  Encourage them to be creative and to think through problems. Support them when they need you to be there for them in sports and presentations since you are the most important person they are wanting to seek approval from.  Give them your time and attention when they tell you about their day and encourage them to rest in order to stay well and strong.

Stage three - becoming an adult doesn’t mean you don’t need the support and encouragement from your parents, it just means you need it in a different way.  At this time in life, your children need you to tell them how proud you are of them, especially if you have not done this much. It is also a time that you can cherish the individuals that they have become and to share in some of the most precious times together as adults.  Now is the time you may just get to see your kids become parents and to experience the joy with them and through them. This is a time that should be embraced, celebrated and appreciated.

All the stages of parenting can be rewarding and challenging at the same time, but no matter what you are going through in life, where you live, what you do or how old you are, the one thing I know for sure is that being a parent is the most important job you will ever have and you should take it very seriously.  You are creating the foundation for a beautifulife for this little individual from the time they step into this world until the time they step out of it.  

My affirmation for you this week is;

“I am making parenting a top priority in my life and know that the things I do today will make a difference in the future of my child and the person they ultimately become”