Parenting

This week in class we talked about parenting. This complex role is one of the most challenging, yet fulfilling, callings in the world. There were so many things we touched on in class, but we will only explore a few of them.

There are 3 Styles of parenting.
1. Authoritarian.
2. Authoritative.
3. Permissive.

Which style are you as a parent? Which style did your parents demonstrate? Comment and let me know!

In one source we read, it said that the reason for Parenting is to...

Protect and prepare children to strive and thrive in the world. 

One of the biggest things we focused on was how to handle discipline when your children are growing up. This is something that has always made me nervous to be a parent. How do you know how to discipline your kids? What about punishment? Are they the same thing?

In some Parenting videos we watched they discussed one of the most effective ways to have your children work with you in following requests. It suggest:

1. Give a polite request.
If that doesn't work.... the next step is to use
2. "I" messages that start with I have problems with.... I feel.... Because..... I would like......
If that doesn't work they suggest to
3.Give them a firm reminder. Don't lecture them though. Keep it short and sweet.
If that doesn't work they suggest to give them
4. Logical consequences. If you allow the children to help you in determining a proper form of discipline if they do not do what you ask, then that will help them be more willing to cooperate and work with you.

Another aspect of parenting that we discussed was how all children need to have contact and a sense of belonging. When a child demonstrates obnoxious or seemingly annoying behavior, it could simply mean that the child is attempting at having their needs met, but just in a mistaken approach. You can never get enough of what you don't need.  If children are not getting their basic needs, they will go to other resources and places to have them fulfilled. An informed parent would in this case off contact freely with that child. Just be aware of what your child is doing. 

Another cool aspect of parenting that I hadn't thought of in these terms before, is how to teach them to be contributors in society. If they learn that when they are young, they will be contributors when they are older. Kids love to be contributors! 

Parents need to have a certain amount of willingness to let their children figure things out on their own. That is how they learn to be contributors. When parents constantly do things for their children they don't learn problem solving skills or how to figure things out for themselves. 

"When we consistently do for others when they CAN do for themselves, they not only become dependent on us, but will eventually resent us."

The last thing I wanted to emphasize from our discussion in class is that parenting is divinely appointed. Through the guidance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the principles taught by His prophets, we can learn to teach our children to agents for themselves. If you recall from the beginning, controlling our choices was not God's plan, but Satan's plan. We can't control our kids, or else they don't properly become stewards in society.

I am grateful for parenting principles! Doesn't mean it will be easy, but it will be worth it. If we prayerfully seek guidance on being the best parents, we will be strengthened through Heavenly help.