Children Are Our Priority

Our world revolves around stock markets, commodities, real estate, investments, assets and a variety of real and imagined wants and needs. I feel that our most important asset is our children.

Something adults have to remember is that we were all children once. Many of us still are and there is nothing wrong with that, as long as we act responsibly.

Parenting is very rewarding, at the same time it can be one of the most difficult life jobs we will ever do. What has been helpful to me in dealing with the different parenting challenges I have encountered is to take time out to recall how I felt as a child under the same or similar circumstances. Irregardless of a child's maturity level all children have fears and insecurities which sometimes cause them to act out.

The best sales people in the world do their homework about the product or company they are selling to. They compliment the prospective client and find a touchstone which will allow communication to take place. They build a solid foundation of trust and mutual respect. There's a definite correlation between a top sales person's tactics and raising happy, healthy and well-grounded children.

First we impart unconditional love to our children. For some parents it is hard to separate unconditional love from "liking" your child. There are going to be times when we don't like certain character traits and behaviors about our children, and that's normal. Always remember that children are human beings that think, make mistakes, and are no more perfect than anyone or anything else in this world.

Take time to choose your battles. Is the issue of dislike really that crucial or important to the well-being of your child and your household? Have there been changes in the home or environment that are impacting your household? On many occasions it was my problem, not my child's. My expectations were totally unrealistic, and based more on my feelings and ego. A lot of parents want their children to be just like them or better than them. How quickly we forget our angelic past childhoods.

Respect! Not only should we teach our children to be respectful but we should also show them respect.

Communication! Talk, talk, talk and listen, listen and listen some more. The old adage "Children should be seen and not heard" is only applicable during "adult discussions. I have actually excused myself from conversations when parents have allowed their children to be present during conversations that should only be discussed in adult company. Allowing your children to participate in every area of your adult life is a recipe for disaster. In the long run this is very unfair to the children, and will cause discipline problems in the future. Time has to be set aside on a regular basis to talk with your children and listen to them. Keeping the lines of communication open with your children is an integral part of good parenting.

Set rules and boundaries that are appropriate to their age and maturity levels. Stick to consequences when they are deemed necessary. Make family and meal times that are consistent. Show your child affection, what's wrong with a hug even if they are taller than you, and smell like a locker room. Don't be afraid to laugh. Humor is one of life's best medicines and it is contagious. There have been times when one or the other of my sons have angered me, then said something so comical or had such a goofy look, that I've fallen on the floor unable to stop laughing. Enough time elapsed so that I didn't react out of immediate anger.

Children should be our highest priority, we have been given a gift in them and should do our homework before we embark on this life long journey. For every child that is brought into this world, we have been given the gift of a bright new beginning. It doesn't matter how you were raised, what mistakes were made, nothing matters except that child. Each and every parent has the power and the opportunity to not only be the best parent they possibly can, but they are given a chance to enjoy one of the greatest gifts the world has to offer.

I've included some websites that offer parental guides and tips on a variety of subjects.