The Most Important Parenting Question of All

The most important question to continually ask yourselfdoing or saying something that later you may regret.
as you parent your child is:It is this question that will continually challenge you to
"Will what I am about to do bring me closer to my childlook at the situation critically to see what your
or move us further apart?"alternatives are.
It is this question that, from day one and right throughIt is this question that will allow you as a parent to
the teen years, will allow you to build the closest bondgrow and learn new ways of relating to your child as
with your child.they grow and change.
It is this question that will keep you grounded to actIt is this question that will encourage your children to be
from love not from some other emotion, such asrespectful as they are guided by the behaviours that
anger.you model.
It is this question that will keep you as a parent onThis question which comes from William Glasser's
track and keep your relationship with your child based'Choice Theory' is a wonderful reminder for you to
on respect.look at how you are being with your child. After all isn't
It is this question that will ensure that you are usingwhat you want a close, loving and respectful
discipline with your children and not punishment.relationship with your child? The best way to achieve
It is this question that will guarantee that you aresuch a relationship is to model these values yourself,
thinking through your actions and not just reacting -making this question a very powerful parenting tool.