10 Important Keys To Effective Parenting

October 23, 2009 | Posted by Brad Chaffee

Are you of the opinion that good parenting is important? To me, family is where the majority of my happiness comes from.  Therefore, it is important to me that I spend enough time interacting with my family.  In fact, I believe that we are our children’s most important role models, so it’s also important to me that I take responsibility for what my children learn.

This post comes at the perfect time.  On October 21, 2009, my son Noah (pictured left) was born, and I immediately started thinking about all of the wonderful things we would eventually do together.

Life is beautiful right?  Yes, but life can also beat us up pretty bad.  I want to do the best job I can of preparing my children for those obstacles, and I believe you do too.

Two-income households have changed the face of child development.  Over the years, more and more kids have been raised by Hollywood movies, schools, and what they see on television.

• Hollywood is for entertainment ONLY!
• Schools are good for learning but not for parenting.
• Television is loaded with superficial, over-dramatic misconceptions.

Now do not get me wrong, I like parts of all of the above.  What I am saying is that when your children learn everything from outside of your home, it’s hard to connect with them inside of it. It drives a wedge between any meaningful communication by removing your influence and placing it elsewhere—a place you may not approve of.

There is only one solution to this problem—do it yourself!  No matter how busy you might be, you must invest enough time in raising your children.  Trust me I know busy, but I never forfeit the chance to take advantage of every single teachable moment with my children.  Invest in your children and invest in their future.

Important Keys To Effective Parenting

• Read to them – You’d be surprised at how much they can learn from less than 10 minutes of reading.
• Play with them -  I try to say “yes” more than I say “no” when Isaac wants to play.  Again, only a few minutes of attention can go along way.
• Think of life as their classroom – Almost every interaction I have with Isaac has some educational benefits.  Never walk away from a possible teachable moment.
• Say what you mean, and mean what you say – If you say you are going to do something, you must do it.  If not, trust will be lost which is one of the biggest hurdles to good communication and a positive bond between parent and child.
• You must follow through with punishment – The second you let it be known that you do not plan to follow through with the proper discipline, you have lost at least some respect immediately.
• Celebrate and reward success often – One of the most important tools to building self-confidence in your children, is by reinforcing accomplishments and good behavior with over the top celebration.
• Encourage and inspire creativity – I am ALWAYS trying to encourage Isaac to think outside of the box.  They gain nothing from remaining in their comfort zone.
• Teach them how to manage money – It must be said that to do this, you must learn how to manage it yourself.  I was 32 before I learned, and I think we can agree that most parents could use some assistance in this area.
• Do not rely on schools – This is not to say that the school should not play a role, but be involved and know what they are being taught.  Personally, we are considering homeschooling our children.
• Teach them to be self-reliant – You can not go wrong by teaching them how to be more self-sufficient and independent.  It will help them realize that limitations are only found in what they themselves are not willing to try.

Brad Chaffee is the Enemy of Debt, and a regular contributor here at the Self Reliance Exchange. Brad has also become debt free by paying off $26,076.75 in just 20 months. Learn more about Brad by reading his bio. You may also contact him here.

Categories: parenting | Tags: parenting, self reliance | No Comments »