Lifeline Family Enrichment

Parenting, Taking the Difficult and Less Traveled Road

The 21’st century parent is faced with numerous new challenges.  And to meet these challenges there are numerous of technological advances at their finger tips by way of the internet.  However the key challenge is not new but an existing challenge that has faced parents throughout time; that of “being present!”

Each new generation desires to provide their children with a better way of living that will connect their child with a successful.  But somehow in this 21^st century, this message has been equated with a misconception that a better way of living equates to ensuring my child has the best things in life rather than the best life.  How did this happen?  We are more concerned about our children wearing the best labels, carrying the best digital gadgets, driving the best car so much so that we have sacrificed the best needed gift in their life: the gift of having a parent who is present and involved in every aspect of their life.  A best kept secret is that when a parent is available and present to listen, love, value, appreciate, shape and mold the path their child takes, the child never misses the external things.

With a new school year upon us, I challenge you to take the difficult less traveled road of being involved in your child’s life.  On any given day in this world, a child will leave home and if asked, their parent could not even tell you what their child wore to school that day.  I challenge you as a parent to:

• Get to know your child

            Likes

            Dislikes

            Struggles

            Challenges

            Needs from you as a parent

• Get to know their friends

            Who are they?

            What are they about?

            Who are their influences?

            Where are they going?

            Who do they talk to and more importantly listen to?

• Get to know their friend’s parents

            What are their values and beliefs?

            Their parenting style?

            What if any, are the rules at their house?

• Become involved with their school?

             Who are their teachers?

             What are their rules, mandates, expectations for your child?

              How do they communicate?

              What do they view your role as parent?

              How will they keep you involved?

            How can you work together as a team to ensure success for your child?

• Get in touch with their feelings

           What are they fearful of?

           What are their dreams?

           Where do they want to go?

           Who do they want to become?

• Love them completely flaws and all remembering we are all flawed and none of us is perfect

All of these things require that you make an investment of your time and talents to your child/children.  It means talking to them and letting them know every moment of the day is filled with love for them.  Remind your child that you have faith in them and you know and expect them to do great things.  Remember it is someone’s job to continually create new “things” that will require you to purchase the latest model and the old model is tossed to the side with very little emotions and lots of expectation that you will provide the newest model without any consideration of what it cost you physically or emotionally to provide.  However, a good investment in your relationship will bear fruit that will last a lifetime and passed on for generations to come.  Think about traveling the less traveled path of parenting.  Become a parent not a peer!

What are the steps to success that I shoud instill in my child?

• Become accountable and responsible for my educational success.
• Accepting responsibility for their individual choices and actions. 
• Make the decision to succeed rather than fail.
• Take responsibility for their success by destroying "fear." Fear of asking questions, fear of shame in front of peers, fear of being accepted and instead become assertive in asking and obtaining the assistance needed to succeed.
• Destroying the "good child" "bad child" myths!  There is no such thing as a good or a bad child but there are "good and bad behaviors!" 
• Recognize with the proper assistance and direction, everyone has the power to change behavior. 
• They always have a choice!  It's up to them to choose their path; take on the leader mindset and remember they are victorious not victims.

Act now!

Get your child the assistance they need by providing them with the tools they need to succeed.  Consider a counseling program that fits your child's need!  Contact our office for more information.