| So you are a new parent? Congratulations! Welcoming | | | | rewarding. |
| a new child into a family is an exciting, thrilling time. It | | | | The Science of Parenting. |
| can be scary, too, of course. And rightly so. No where | | | | This is the head or thinking side of your parenting. This |
| else in life will you experience the rollercoaster of life | | | | is where you apply all the skills you use in other areas |
| more than in the game of parenting. I know because I | | | | of your life to improve yourself as a parent. |
| have four children and have been parenting for more | | | | For example, you probably had some sort of |
| than two decades. What words of wisdom for new | | | | education to be trained in your current job or career. |
| parents can I offer you? Well, if I was to start all over | | | | Perhaps it took you years to learn your career skills. |
| with my kids, I'd want to know that there is an art and | | | | Perhaps it was simply a matter of on-the-job training. |
| a science to the skill of raising a child. | | | | Whatever it was, you knew there was a learning |
| The Art of Parenting. | | | | curve involved. You may have continuing education |
| This is the heart of your parenting. You love your child. | | | | requirements for your career, as well. |
| You want the very best for him. You envision years | | | | Thoughtful wisdom in parenting dictates there is also a |
| of happy times together. This is all good! The feelings | | | | learning curve. This is definitely an on-the-job type of |
| and desires you have for your family will motivate you | | | | training, but you needn't feel overwhelmed. Parenting is |
| when times get tough. And you can be certain, times | | | | the most popular career field on the planet. There is no |
| will get tough. It's simply the nature of the beast. | | | | shortage of books, seminars, classes, and mentors |
| You can establish strong heart bonds with your child | | | | available to you concerning this topic. |
| by intentionally cultivating the relationship with her. | | | | Like any career, you'll need to do a little research to |
| Starting as a baby, spend time with your little one. As | | | | determine which voices to listen to. I recommend |
| one who has been there, done that, I can assure you | | | | making a list of all the parents you know who are |
| there is no substitute for time spent with your child. | | | | raising their children in ways in which you respect. |
| Get to know this new human. Figure out her | | | | These are the voices to begin to listen to. |
| personality, her quirks, her talents, her frustrations. This | | | | Be flexible in your parenting. What works in one |
| will do several things for both of you as your child | | | | season of your family's life may not work as well in |
| grows. | | | | another. And what works beautifully with one child |
| * Allow you to be the person she trusts. Your tender | | | | may fail miserably with another child. As you |
| knowledge of her will prove your trustworthiness to | | | | maneuver through the science of parenting, let your |
| her time and time again. She will know you are the | | | | heart (art) be your guide. I am a firm believer that no |
| person she can come to, anytime, with anything. This | | | | one knows a child the way that child's parent does. As |
| will be invaluable all through her young life, and | | | | you listen to other parents and learn through parenting |
| especially as she travels through the teen years. | | | | resources, listen with your heart. Will this material work |
| * Give you knowledge that will help you guide her | | | | in my family? Could I adapt it to work more specifically |
| through the pitfalls she must traverse. Instead of | | | | for my family's situation? Feel free to try parenting |
| wringing your hands and worrying, you will be in a | | | | ideas and make adjustments over time. Very few |
| much better position to take positive action as | | | | ideas will work the first time, but many ideas will be |
| necessary. Remember, you cannot control your child, | | | | invaluable over the long haul. |
| but you do have tremendous influence over her as her | | | | The last bit of wisdom for new parents I'd like to offer |
| parent. | | | | is this: give yourself a break. If you are loving your child |
| * Cause you to deepen your love for your child. | | | | and working to learn what you can about the parenting |
| Whenever you deepen a relationship, the result is a | | | | game, you are probably doing a wonderful job. Kids |
| tighter bond. Yes, I'll admit this is why you will hurt at | | | | are flexible and can stand up to most of our mistakes. |
| times over your child. But deepening your love for your | | | | Have a humble and grateful heart and be determined |
| family is what will enable you to make the necessary | | | | to do whatever you need to do as a parent and you'll |
| sacrifices to care for them in the ways they will need. | | | | do great. |
| No one said parenting is easy. But it can be extremely | | | | |