Parenting Is a Huge Responsibility

Parenting is a huge responsibility

Kids can be loud, trying, and push you to no end. But, that is how kids are. A kid would not be a kid without any of those traits. A parent holds all responsibility for their child. A parent needs to stay one step ahead and be prepared for what the future holds. Good parents need to provide more than just food and shelter; they also should provide guidance, encourage self-esteem, and foster a strong parent-child relationship.

A parent needs to foster a strong parent-child relationship. A mother can foster this parent-child relationship much easier and faster than a father according to The Editors of Babytalk Magazine. “Men today make more time to be around for paternal exams and tests, shop for nursery furniture, and coach their partners in labor. But for the most part, they still head back to work within days of their baby’s birth” (Babytalk Magazine). The bond with a child should start at birth and continue to nurture this bond for life. The bond between the parent and child should began the minute the baby is brought into this world and placed in his or her mother’s arms. This bond starts much sooner for the mothers, since the baby is already getting a sense of bonding in the mother’s womb. A baby relies on their mother and father for everything and needs to know that his or her parents will be there for all their needs. Trust is a form of bond that needs to be developed at a young age. “A child’s sense of security grows as it developes the expectation and understanding that whenever he or she feels hungry or tired or out of sort, the parent will know just what to do to make him or her feel better” (Babytalk). A child needs to know no matter what he or she does at any age that the parent will always be there for them and never stop loving them. A parent may not always agree with the child’s behavior but the parent needs to redirect the behavior in a positive manner no matter the child’s age.

A parent can never love their child too much. "It is simply not possible to spoil a child with love," Steinberg writes. Loving a child consists of more than just saying I love you. Parents need to enforce discipline. “If you don't manage your child's behavior when he is young, he will have a hard time learning how to manage himself when he is older and you aren't around” (Davis, S.). Parents need to be an example for their child. A child may not notice or anyone else for that matter, but by sacrificing your needs to provide the necessary needs for a child is prime example of loving a child. A parent needs to watch his or her own behavior. Children learn by watching their parents and their surrounding environment.

A proper disciplinary plan is necessary in a child’s life. Children need boundaries followed up with consequences when the boundaries have been crossed. Every child is different therefore every child needs different techniques of discipline. Using facial expressions and body language to convey how you feel about your child's behavior and can let a child know how disappointed the parent is with their inappropriate behavior (Fackler, A.). Redirecting the bad behavior is a good technique to use but rewarding the good behavior may be one technique that may have better results. Most children like to be told how good they are doing and what a nice, polite child they are being. Eventually a child may realize if by doing good things and acting appropriately he or she will be positively rewarded instead of always getting into trouble and grounded. It is also important for a parent to take time for themselves in order to not take their anger and frustration out on the child so that positive discipline can be enforced. It is never good to react to a child in anger but kids tend to bring out the worst in parents. Kids know just what buttons to push and when to push them to get what they want. Moms and dads need to step aside and have some alone time. Whether it be together or a girls night out or vice versa. Give yourself and the children a chance to miss each other. Get out and release some built up stress so when that child has pushed the last button the parent doesn’t blow a fuse. Parents should never hit a child, under any circumstances, Steinberg says. "Children who are spanked, hit, or slapped are more prone to fighting with other children," he writes. "They are more likely to be bullies and more likely to use aggression to solve disputes with others." Parents should try using alternative Disciplinary techniques such as time out, or even grounding. The star chart is also a technique that gives the child a visual of the progress of their behavior. When proper discipline is not enforced in a child’s life the child develops little to no respect for the parent, him or herself,