The purpose in parenting | News, Sports, Jobs – Morning Journal News

Parenting. It is a challenging, sometimes difficult to impossible job, but in the end, may be the most gratifying work Mom and Dad will ever accomplish because parents prepare their children to become the leaders of tomorrow.

Do you remember when No meant NO? It didnt mean yes. It didnt even mean maybe. No meant no.

My brothers and I knew when Mom said no, she meant it. No amount of pleading moved her to change her mind. Embarrass her in public? There were consequences. But she was always respectful about discipline. (Other kids in the neighborhood complained to their parents that the Thomas kids never got disciplined, but that wasnt true. It was just not publicly given.)

Mom spoke softly when all was calm and easy, just conversation. Before you do something, you stop to consider your consequences. Are they things you can live with if you have to? And, Treat others the way you want to be treated. That is the Golden Rule. You dont have to make everyone your best friend, but be kind to others. She taught us to respect others and to respect ourselves. She taught us responsibility and accountability. She set our boundaries and reinforced them with discipline if/when we crossed a line. We were clear about the expectations she had for us and none of us wanted to disappoint her or cause her one moments embarrassment. Respect. I guess you could call it purposeful parenting.

July is Purposeful Parenting Month. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services explains purposeful parenting as active and engaged parenting to build strong families. Further, positive parenting techniques open discussions, define goals and set clear expectations and boundaries around behavior. There should be rules, chores and interaction with others.

As challenging as it can be to find enough hours in the day when you have to earn a paycheck to provide for the family often long hours parents need to be present, in the moment, with their daughters and sons, teaching them, not just with words, but with actions. Parents need to live what they preach. And to spend a little time with each child talking, playing, laughing, sharing building a trustful relationship you both can count on throughout your lives. Daily.

The state of Ohio offers a lot of information valuable to families at https:boldbeginning.ohio.gov. Parents are encouraged to think about what they want for their children as they grow up and embark on adulthood, to be all that they can be. The first goal is to meet each childs most basic needs:

Bodily needs: breathing, water, food, and sleep.

Safety: the need to feel safe and secure.

Love: the need to feel accepted and valued.

Do you know toxic stress can affect the growth and function of the brain? Parenting doesnt require hovering. Recall the stories of parents following their child to school, hiding around corners, leaping behind trees and hedges so their child didnt know they were following? They wanted to foster their childs independence, but felt a burning need to protect the child from threats of harm. The goal is teaching children to feel capable and safe on their own.

There are six parts to purposeful parenting. Please check out the details at the Bold Beginnings! website. Other resources are found at purposefulparentingllc.com and drphil.com. Dr. Phil provides 7 Tools for Purposeful Parenting. The concept has been around for a long time.

Our children grow up so quickly. Even when parents think their offspring arent listening, they are. And in their childrens adult years they may well say, You thought I wasnt listening, but I was. And they are watching, following in your footsteps. What are your plans for them? What are their interests, the things they need to know and understand to become healthy, happy, productive adults?

Family Recovery Center offers mental health services as well as addiction services. The goal is for the health and well-being of all. For more information about the education, prevention and treatment programs for substance abuse and related behavioral issues, contact the agency at 964 N. Market St., Lisbon; phone, 330-424-1468; or email, info@familyrecovery.org. Visit the website at familyrecovery.org. FRC is funded in part by the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.

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The purpose in parenting | News, Sports, Jobs - Morning Journal News