#3-You're a Parent, Not a Friend
To be a good parent you have to model the characteristic of a good parent. The number one good parenting skill you can have is to simply act like one! In other words, in order for your kids to respect you, you must give them a person worth respecting. I am not talking about the respect a child should show an elder. I am talking about true, heart-felt respect. Kids are not stupid, and they can spot a fake easily.
Kids don’t respect weakness. It scares them. As a parent, you are the boss, you are in charge and you must act like it, even if you don’t feel like it. Expose your weak or doubting moments in private, with your partner, but never in front of your children. They need to be able to count on you as the one who makes decisions and runs the show.
It is frightening to a child when they perceive that you don’t know what you’re doing. So be strong in their presence, and most importantly, show a united front from both parents. Disagree with your mate or fight in private, but be a good parent, the stalwart, wise parent your child can trust and count on in public.
This is a tough thing to do when we have self-doubts, and all parents do.
As Rahima Baldwin states:
"That we are plagued with so many questions, doubts and guilt about how to raise our children is the result of living in a time of tremendous changes. Our culture no longer provides a strong and unified message about how children should be reared. In addition, most of us live separated from our own parents or other extended family who traditionally provided wisdom, help and continuity in rearing children."
In spite of the difficulties inherent in our society of ever increasing single parent families, remember, you didn’t have your child to replace a Saturday night date, or to confide in or provide you company like a best friend.
The characteristic of a good parent is to behave like one.
And if you did a good job, your child will have many friends that are valuable, but you won’t be one of them.
You are a parent…and that is priceless.
Read the remaining 5 Principles below:
1.)The Buck Stops Here
2.)You Had ‘Em, You Raise ‘Em
3.)You’re a Parent, Not a Friend
4.)Practice What You Preach
5.)When a Routine Life Isn’t Boring
6.)Don’t Deprive Your Child of Discipline
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