I’ve always heard that motherhood was challenging. But hearing it and living it are two completely different things. And this coming from someone who was accustomed to how children are. I was a frequent babysitter in my teenage years and often taught Sunday School and mid-week church programs. In fact, my two years in college were spent preparing for a career in Elementary Education. I knew how demanding kids can be. Yet, in my “knowledge” I was completely naive.
All my exposure to children in my pre mom days solidified in my mind how I did NOT want my children to act. Over the years I had seen way too many unruly, disrespectful, and just plain rude kids to know that there was something terribly wrong in the way society, in general, is bringing up our youth. Sure, there are the exceptions. The few obedient and thoughtful kids in each class or home who were a joy to be around. The parents of these children were the ones I watched closely. It was my goal to see how they were different from the other parents. You see, if you’re going to study the behavior of other families so you can glean a little wisdom for your own parenting skills, I think it’s important to note that you should watch the parents and not the children. After all, it’s not the child’s fault that he/she hasn’t been taught how to behave properly. No, it’s the parents. And as I went from pre mom to motherhood, my observance of different parenting styles became all the more important.
If you want to be a successful parent, you need to immerse yourself in knowledge. Find those parents whose children you admire and learn from them. Note the differences in how they interact with their children. Find out what they do for discipline. Ask what their homelife is like. Do the kids have chores? Allowance? Are they allowed to watch t.v.? If so, how much? Do they have a routine? How do they handle whining? Complaining?
Become an expert on parenting. Find your inspiration and try to emulate what they do. Obedient children aren’t a fluke, they’re a product of their parents’ teaching. If you require little of your children then that’s exactly what you’ll get in return. However, if you require whatever is good and admirable then you’ll be greatly rewarded for your efforts.
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