Successful Parenting

To start off the New Year, it is always important to share the basic concepts of great, successful parenting.

I meet many new parents and discussions with them remind me that parents rarely have an understanding of how intelligent their child is.

Most of the time, these parents are visiting our daycare school, observing the children's skills and communication levels as well as their confidence and maturity. They usually comment on the respectful and teaching-based manner that we use in interacting with them.

We explain that our goal is to provide an environment that assures each child is an assertive, confident, cooperative, curious, respectful, empathetic and fun loving individual.

How does that happen?
These are the guidelines:

1.    Respect their intelligence. We believe it exists from the minute they are born and is at least as high          a level as yours.

2.    Set clear behavioral standards and identify values that you, the parents, both agree on 100%!!!

3.    Always communicate respectfully as though you were talking to a best friend.

4.    Always tell them the truth. This includes admitting when you have made a mistake.

5.    Establish rules that are clearly communicated and must be followed. They should be based on                respect for themselves and their family.

6.    Do not disagree in front of your child.

7.    Spend quality and quantity time with them. They are important.

8.    Whichever parent begins a corrective action is the parent that finishes it.

9.    Think before you speak and follow up on what you say.

10.  Expect them to complete their own tasks as well as share responsibility for some family tasks.

11.  Share meals together. No phone, texting, internet activity or technology of any kind. Conversations        should include them. Keep it positive and educational and current.

12.  Respect, Love and Nourish them always! Enjoy!

We will follow up on these topics throughout the year.

Talk to you next week.