| As a young person I noticed that there are some | | | | what decision they make. |
| things thatpeople are just plain good at. Its like they are | | | | Young children will often ask to go and play outside. |
| a natural. | | | | This isthe perfect opportunity for you to say, "I am |
| Baseball, football, basketball no matter the sport, the | | | | going to let youdecide." This will teach them how to |
| trulygreat athletes were born athletes.. That is not to | | | | make decisions and theywill realize that sometimes it |
| say that theydid not have to practice. It just seems like | | | | will be up to them. |
| SUCCESS came mucheasier for them. | | | | As they get older and their decisions become more |
| My guess is that by now you are thinking... I thought this | | | | important itwill be imperative that you continue to let |
| wasgoing to be an article on parenting. Wow! It | | | | them make thedecision. Safety is always of high |
| occurred to me thatno one is naturally a great parent | | | | importance, but if no one isgoing to get hurt, much can |
| even though we all, well mostall, want to do a great | | | | be learned through good and baddecision making. |
| job raising our child or children. | | | | Raising the Fun-Loving, Happy Child |
| Think about it. The consequences of being a bad | | | | We all want our children to be happy and have fun as |
| parent are morethan a little inconvenient. In the next | | | | they growup. The biggest problem is when parents do |
| few paragraphs I wouldlike to share with you my ideas | | | | not listen to theirchildren. Yes! That is what I said. You |
| on how to raise a confident,respectful, independent, fun | | | | must listen to yourchild. Many parents expect their child |
| loving, and obedient child thatshould be prepared to live | | | | to be little clones ofthemselves. |
| in this great society that we live in. | | | | Many parents try to live their second childhood out |
| If you are thinking there are more qualities that a child | | | | through theirchildren. This may be the result of a false |
| shouldlearn, I agree with you, that would take a book | | | | pretense or a dreamthat the parent could not have |
| or maybe evenvolumes to cover. Maybe that will be | | | | achieved because of a lack ofability. Just because you |
| next. | | | | like fishing does not mean your childwill. You may have |
| Raising the Confident Child | | | | enjoyed tap or ballet as a child but yourchild may |
| Keep in mind that a child has develops his or her | | | | never put those shoes on. |
| complete valuesystem by the age of four or five. With | | | | Like I said, listen to your child. Bed time is a great time |
| that in mind, if youplan on raising a confident child you | | | | towind down and listen to your child tell you what they |
| can not wait until they arein their teens and are in need | | | | enjoyedabout the day. If you will listen, you can find out |
| of professional help. Raising theconfident child begins | | | | what theydream about and what is important to them. |
| with each and every interaction that youas a parent | | | | They are just like us, sometimes they just need to let |
| have with your newborn child. Here is a list of tipsthat | | | | someoneelse know how excited they are about their |
| will assist you in raising the confident child. | | | | next adventure. |
| - 1. When interacting with your child, speak to them in a | | | | Sometimes they need to let someone know if they |
| normal everyday voice. Baby talk is learned. You do | | | | had theirfeelings hurt that day. Some of my fondest |
| not want your child to have to break that speech | | | | memories have been agood talk or listen followed by |
| pattern when they enter school. | | | | a prayer. |
| - 2. Make a big deal out of small accomplishments. If | | | | Raising the Obedient Child |
| you want your child to be a people pleaser and gain | | | | This quality I saved for last because I think it is |
| confidence they must first receive that positive feed | | | | veryimportant in preparing a child for each of the other |
| back from you. | | | | qualities. |
| - 3. Do not raise your voice when correcting your child. | | | | A confident, respectful, independent, fun loving, and |
| I know this will be difficult, but it is very important. | | | | happy childcan not achieve these qualities without |
| Remember, you are the adult in every situation. | | | | being obedient. In orderto raise an obedient child, the |
| Irrational behavior such as screaming or yelling only | | | | child must be confident that youas the parent love and |
| teaches a child how to be irrational, not confident. | | | | respect them. |
| - 4. Be specific. Do not merely tell your child, "You must | | | | In order to raise an obedient child they must be |
| be good." Most young children need for you to be | | | | allowed to beindependent and make decisions even |
| specific. Tell them specifically what it is that you want | | | | when you are not there toassist them. Lastly, you can |
| them to do. | | | | bet that an unhappy child will beanything but obedient. |
| Raising the Respectful Child | | | | So if you want to raise an obedient childthat obeys his |
| Many people will tell you respect has to be earned. | | | | parents, grand parents, teachers, and someday |
| While thisis true in our adult world, teaching respect to | | | | evenhis or her employer, you must convince them that |
| a two or threeyear old is different. A child learns | | | | to be obedientis more valuable than disobedience. |
| respect by modeling theirparents behavior. If you want | | | | I believe that good things happen to people who are |
| a respectful child, you must behis or her example. | | | | obedient totheir elders and supervisors. This must |
| If your child sees you showing respect to | | | | become a part of achild's value system. Remember, I |
| grandparents, friends,and neighbors then he will learn | | | | stated that children formtheir value system at a very |
| respect. On the other hand, ifyou start talking | | | | early age. Many believe they formtheir value system |
| negatively about them as soon as they are outof sight, | | | | by the age of four or five. So it is up to usto teach our |
| the child will perceive this as acceptable behavior. | | | | children the importance and rewards of beingobedient. |
| It is very important that you genuinely respect and | | | | Raising children is our most important purpose in life as |
| care for thepeople that you and your child interact with. | | | | aparent. None of us are naturally great or gifted as |
| Raising the Independent Child | | | | parents. |
| While it is hard for a new parent to even think about | | | | Our own childhood experiences may or may not be |
| theimportance of independence, one can not start too | | | | helpful. It ismy most sincere hope that some of this |
| early. We allwant our child to eventually make their | | | | advice will assist you inthe blessed adventure of raising |
| own decisions. But thetrick is to give them this | | | | children. |
| responsibility only when it truly doesnot matter to you | | | | |