As we come to the end of this series on parenting, I just want to encourage you to remember that you are not alone! There are so many parents who are right where you are. Our stories might differ a bit, but the overall struggles and victories are much the same. Even though we are living in an age full of remarkable technology and communication systems, it is still easy to feel disconnected and isolated. If this is you, then please start looking for places to get connected. Perhaps you will find some supportive people within your own family network.
Month: October 2012
When I was in college, I took an Adolescent Psychology class. Most of us were in our early to mid-twenties, but there was one “non-traditional” student who was particularly annoying. She was the mother of three teenagers and readily admitted on the first day that she took this class with the hope that it might help her improve her parenting skills. She always had something to say, usually completely off-topic. One day, about half-way through the semester, she had an emotional breakdown in class. As she was crying, she told us of some of her struggles with her kids.
One of the most anxiety- producing topics of discussion among parents is that of sex education. The most frequently asked question I hear is “When is the right age to have “the talk?”” My answer: This conversation begins when your children are very young. Sex education begins with teaching your little ones the appropriate names for all of their body parts. Yes, it seems very clinical, but it sure eliminates a lot of confusion and awkward conversations later on. It is only embarrassing if we make it embarrassing. We also need to be helping our little ones develop good hygiene
I have always tried to teach my children to take good care of their possessions. Because reading was such a priority in our home, I really emphasized that books should receive special treatment. Pages should be turned with care and books should be returned to the appropriate shelf upon completion. But there is one book that deserves super-special treatment- the Bible. Our kids have always had a Bible to use. They started out with a little toddler version, and then moved through a variety of age-appropriate versions as they grew. Even as little girls, they could look at their Bibles
It doesn’t take children very long to catch on to the concept of exchanging money for goods and services. The value of money, however, is another one of those on-going conversations. There are a lot of resources available to help teach children about financial matters. It is definitely worth the time and effort to explore some different approaches so you can find the one that most closely fits your family’s values and philosophy. Some things to consider: Will you pay your kids an allowance? Or will they get paid for completing certain chores? Under what conditions might they lose these