Parenting, quick thoughts

Parenting is a huge challenge.  Parents, good one’s, are hero’s.  Here are some thoughts on the subject: 

Praise your children 5:1 over criticizing.  Most parents criticize 8:1 over positive feeback and praise. 

Learn patience.  This is a skill I work on everyday.  Having 2 young children with their own schedules and emotional swings will test your patience.  You owe it to them to be steady, calm and fair.  Don’t let your emotions get the best of you.  Combine a general lack of quality sleep with financial stress and throw in a misbehaving toddler and a crying baby, and you have a recipe for an angry outburst.  Don’t let it happen.  Become a student of your own tolerance and boiling points.  Discipline yourself to take it, and come back with a smile.  This is one of the hardest aspects of parenting.  PATIENCE.

Ignore advice from people who don’t have children.  They don’t know what they don’t know.

Live life every day to it’s fullest.  Never forget that you won’t ever get this time with your kids back.  Someday they will be living on their own.  You won’t get the years you are together as a family back, so make the most of them.  Life is brief, even at the longest.  Cherish your kids.

Create your family philosophy, and teach your kids what you stand for (and won’t stand for.)  Successful families are value driven.  They create clear-cut expectations, goals and roles for each member of the family. 

Put your family first.  In today’s society with television, ipods, personal computers and all the other influences, family togetherness often takes a back seat.  Make time to be together and communicate with each other.  Talk to any adult and they will most likely tell you their best memories growing up are times spent with their families. 

You are a role model for your children.  Be the kind of role model that teaches them to make responsible decisions, and accept responsibility for their actions.  This is perhaps the most important job of parenting. 

Learn about nutrition.  Your child’s energy level, fitness and performance in school and even their behavior is largely impacted by their nutrition.  Vitality is an important part of life!  Don’t forget about this point in regards to yourself as well.

Here is a list of goals for you, the parent:

Be strong, but not rude. 

Be bold, but not a bully. 

Be thoughtful, but not lazy. 

Think, but also act. 

Be kind, but not weak or a pushover. 

Be humble, but not timid. 

Be proud, but not arrogant. 

Be ambitious, but not greedy.

Here is some good advice I heard from Jim Rohn: “Be wary of what you become while in pursuit of what you want.  Never compromise your virtues.”

Tags: dad, dadsworld, jim rohn, mom, parenting, thoughts on parenting