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Article How to be the best parents you can be

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The assumption I made at school was that everyone’s parents were just like mine.

At school I remember befriending someone who was significantly overweight, very quiet, sometimes isolated and not part of any group.  He was different and I did not know how I could help.

The experiences my friend shared with me highlighted the contrast of parenting.

It turns out my friend had a very quiet mother who disappeared in the background and a very powerful and dictating father. In effect life for him was just like he did not have a mother at all.

My friend did not feel loved and he really had no sense of belonging. All he had was constant challenges and abuse from his father which left him feeling alone, confused, feeling exhausted and all burnt out.

He was somewhat angry, and slightly unpredictable. He had little confidence and possessed a rebellious attitude. He did not have a lot of respect generally and none for the law.

He did not have any future plans and he could not see his many talents.

He was quite intelligent however he had a very different view of his reality. He was not up for any personal challenges at all, it seemed he already had enough challenges to last him a life time.

My home was so different and had the perfect balance of support and challenge. I was immediately hooked into what made parents either good or bad.

These days I know parents to be either effective parents and if not they are simply ineffective parents. I do not see parents as bad parents or good parents.

The reason is that the result comes from whether a parent is taking effective action or not. This implies changes are possible and hence the label on parenting is unnecessary.

In my friends case he had a lot of rules and no relationship of love.

As a child I also remember having a friend who lived in a high rise housing commission flat. In this complex almost all the children had one parent and usually only a mum as in his case.

This friend had a mother who was more like a friend and this was a common theme amongst others that lived there. There were not a lot of rules and there was certainly a lot of chaos here and there.

It would not be uncommon for police to be visiting children in the complex who all largely felt they were not responsible for any part of their life.

I see so much potential in our children today. If we concentrate on a balance of relationship and rules we could avoid the behaviours observed in my two friends. Neither one or the other is any use on its own, they need to co-exist.

Together the result is respect and responsibility which allow a great entry to adult life.  This highlights the value of parenting as a team.

The the motherly role and the fatherly role both have a significant part to play.

5 Important Tips for Effective Parenting

  1.        Kids do not need another friend they need a parent to be a parent.
  2.        There needs to be a balance of freedom and responsibility.
  3.        Concentrate on effective and non-effective actions.
  4.        Look for change and look for balance.
  5.        Avoid both overpowering and passive parenting.
This excerpt is taken directly out of my workshop. Refer here for more information.
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Comments

  • I think we all take away things that occurred when we were kids, I know my parents absolutely loved me to the moon in back but we were not an affectionate family and didn’t really hug. I am making a conscious effort with my daughter to bring this kind of love into our house along with a few other things. We all learn as we go.

    Reply

  • Thank you for sharing your story and your thoughts.

    Reply

  • I had a mum who disappeared into the background and a loud overbearing dad. As a result, my kids got a mum who would not disappear and who did not try and control everything. From my ineffectual parents my kids ended with an effective one

    Reply

  • great article. i love to read these types. it is so important that we think about our kids being nurtured and happy because life is so busy and we try to get so much done.

    • Thank you for the feedback, I so agree!- All the best with your parenting in the future.

    Reply

  • I’m trying my best to avoid the things (mistakes) my parents made by spending time with my little one & always listening to what he says.

    • Listening and being present for you child is so important and a great investment in their future :)

    Reply

  • Love this
    really helps put things into perspective
    the positive and negative influences of our actions are sometimes not clear until later in life

    • So happy to hear your comment, thanks for sharing , so true

    Reply

  • Thanks for sharing this informative and important article. Being a parent, rather than a friend is so important. Kids want you to parent and set boundaries as it is a safety net! They will respect you for being a parent rather than a friend.

    • So grateful you enjoyed the article, it reminds me of my son a few years ago when he was 8, I was a little concerned when he paused after he said dad you are so firm and then continued but fair – 10 years later we have a great relationship and he is a very well balanced and confident young man with a dream and ambition and respect for the entire family :)

    Reply

  • Thanks for an interesting article. Canvas Prints

    • You are most welcome! Thank you for your interest and comment – wishing you the very best in your parenting success!

    Reply

  • Always looking to being a better parent that I can be thank you for the tips

    • If we are always looking – we will find our way to Parenting Success – Good On You! and thanks for leaving a comment

    Reply

  • We do certainly learn a lot from our children, it is a wonderful 2 way process :)

    • yes, when teaching or influencing it is always worthwhile to being open to receiving the same – thanks for dropping your comment

    Reply

  • Great tips thank you for sharing

    Reply

  • I so agree with your comment ” kids do not need another friend they need a parent to be a parent”

    Reply

  • My children are all grown up now and are perfect in my eyes, so I guess hubby and I did a good job when they were growing up. :-)

    • The value Of Good team Parenting – effective parenting :)

    Reply

  • Need to do more no#1

    Reply

  • My husband and I are constantly trying to find a balance. He says I’m to soft and I say he’s to hard.

    • A matter of understanding each other and what you bring to the parenting responsibility, keep up the great work!

    Reply

  • I think we have to do what is best for our children, I often tell my kids I would love to be your friend but I am your parent first and formost

    • Agree :) – Effective Parenting and Raising successful children is a huge responsibility

    Reply

  • I dont think that wit parenting there is a one size fits all.
    Each child is different and so its over to parent to learn your child, what they need and what style of parenting will work best for you both.

    • Supportive elements and Challenging elements are essential for all children as they form the pathway to a healthy adult life, of course there are differences in all children ;)

    Reply

  • This is a constant work-in-progress for my husband and I, but one that we share and review all the time. It’s all in the awareness of what we’re trying to do, and being the best we can be for our son. I think we’re doing okay.

    Reply

  • I love to learn and grow with my children

    Reply
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