Parenting - Will the investment pay off?
Of all jobs out there, Parenting is one that presents the most challenges. Difficult challenges to say the least.
The Investment
My experiences with my own children and other children whose parents put energy and time trying to be the best parents possible point to that direction. That it starts paying off when your children are in their teens.
You need skills like knowing how to stay cool. How to remain calm. How to be collected when all hell breaks loose.
Children who are disciplined with love generally mature into responsible teenagers. Children who survived early sibling rivalry develop into teenagers who care for their younger siblings and are generally helpful and handy to have around.
The parents I interviewed agree that teaching their children solve problems lead to the parents not needing to nag, yell and lecture.
Parents' guidance is naturally needed along the way but the investment generally pays off more handsomely when children are guided to solve their own problems rather than the parents solving the problems for them.
There is of course, no short cuts to child development and sensible parenting. The parents I interviewed, spent significant energy and time in the early years of parenting consulting experts and attending courses and seminars on the best practices of Parenting and Child Development. They also seek advice from experienced parents who apply the 'old school' approach to Parenting.
Those I interviewed learn to change their own behavior before trying to change their children. These parents learn to respond with empathy to their kids misbehavior. They learn that anger can only worsen the already bad behavior.
The Pay Off
Most often, their teenagers are not rebellious simply because these teenagers do not have a reason to. When coached properly, teenagers will be in control of their emotions and the majority of their most important decisions. Decisions like how to priorities their time, how to identify who to hang out with and so forth.
These teenagers will be disciplined enough not to oversleep and miss important events for the day. They will be equipped to use their natural 'alarm clock'. They will learn to recognize some level of responsibility and freedom and to make that wise decisions.
Are major mistakes avoidable?
We have seen many teen pregnancies, drug abuses, vandalism and such. These could certainly happen to our children but are less likely when your children know that they are responsible for dealing with the consequences of the decisions made. Parents must keep reminding their children that life's quality depends on decisions they make.
God willing, when parents make wise decisions, the children will.
Is your investment paying off?
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