Parenting

                Parenting is a critical matter in children’s life and it affects society.  There have been many trends in parenting like delaying having kids, fewer children, no children, an increase in childcare, born outside of marriage and abortion.  Some people don’t want kids because they think they cost too much, too much responsibility, or other reasons.  Being a parent can be the most rewarding thing and I think that it is an amazing opportunity that we have to learn and grow as becoming a parent.  I think that one of the most important things to know is that what you do affects those around you, not just yourself.  There are many important decisions in parenting and I believe that we need to go to Heavenly Father for help and seek his guidance.  Heavenly Father sent a child to you and it is a huge responsibility to raise that special spirit and teach your children the correct ways.

                I learned that when parenting there are better ways to go about certain situations.  It is good to let a child have choices.  If they make a mistake they can choose what their consequence is, within your boundaries.  This is important to have the child think about what they feel is an appropriate consequence so it doesn’t seem that mom and dad are just mean.  Another tool is to use I statements to let a child to know that what they are doing makes you feel a certain way and how they could help.  It is important to be positive while teaching because it will work out better and the child will be more understanding.  You also can’t be a push over so have polite requests, use I-statements and be firm.

                Parenting doesn’t affect only yourself but your whole family and society.  I can’t stress enough how important parents are to a child because they provide all of the needs.  One important need is the need of contact and belonging.  It is important for a child to feel loved and cared for.  It can have a big effect on that person’s life if they had been raised in a home where they felt of worth.  Children are eager to learn and parents can provide that.  There are many important purposes of parenting like socialize a child, prepare the child for life, provide discipline and learning, guidance, and to have the child feel loved.  Parents also get benefits by learning how to sacrifice, develop unselfishness, learn an eternal perspective, and come closer to Heavenly Father by learning how to help their children with His help.

                I have learned more this week about how critical it is to be a good parent and the effects of parenting have on a child.  I think it is important to continue to be a better parent and pray for help to be guided in parenting.  I know that when my parents were positive and were concerned for me out of love I was more willing to be obedient and help out.  When being a parent it is important know when to step in for guidance and when to let your child learn to solve the problem themselves.  Parenting is so important to the development of a child and it has an effect on society.