Healthy Parenting

Parenting is probably the toughest job around. There is so much responsibility involved in helping a child grow up physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy.

Parents also will feel the repercussions and guilt if they haven't done all that they can do to raise a healthy child, and this guilt can be quite intense. Our children rely on us for everything, and we cannot fail them. Read books, and take classes about healthy parenting. Become educated as you would for any other job, but go even further. One of the best things we can do for our children is to make sure the parents of the child have a healthy relationship whether they are married or not.

Parenting Tips

Physical Needs

• Provide healthy food for your child's diet
• Provide clean clothing and shelter and medical care
• Buckle them up in the car
• Use safety equipment during activities
• Provide a safe home environment

Emotional Needs

• Be positive
• Give hugs and kisses
• Play with your children on their level
• Say "I love you" and show them that you love them
• Praise your child's individuality, accomplishments, and efforts
• Reinforce that all people have their limitations, but we can focus on our strengths
• Teach your child how to have healthy relationships using your relationship as an example
• Do not ever control or manipulate your child
• Don't expect your child to be perfect- no person is
• Give your child your undivided attention- daily
• Listen to your child, maintaining eye contact- do not judge- let them speak

Cognitive Needs

• Parents are ultimately responsible for their child's learning- be involved, read with the child, watch educational shows together, visit museums, help with homework

Spiritual/Moral Needs

• Teach your children to care about other people, to take other people's feelings and needs into consideration
• Guide your children to make thoughtful decisions, but let them make them unless it is a life changing decision
• Teach children about sharing toys, love, food, money, time…
• Teach children to look beyond themselves

When there is a problem

• Stay calm, but be firm
• Listen to your child, and talk to him or her
• It is better to handle the situation sooner rather than later
• Address the issue and the consequences
• Remember that the action is bad, not the child

School

• Help with homework-consider having child do homework at a quiet dining room table so he or she is not isolated from the family
• Read with your child- daily
• Stay connected with your child's teachers
• Be your child's advocate
• Handle problems at school calmly- listen to the teacher and your child-make sure you have the full picture before disciplining your child