Parenting

 

Parenting. Yes, isn't it scary? I would not know how or where to start but one can begin to imagine. I mean sometimes I am STRUGGLING to get up in the morning for class or I forget to eat lunch because I get to  caught up with the fast pace thing we call life. If I am being honest, I do worry that when I become a mother I will be way under qualified for the role.  Again, who feels ready to be a parent when it happens? 

Like previously mentioned in my blog, parent derives from the Latin word parere meaning bringing forth. You are bringing forth a new life into this world and what you teach them is how they'll go about life for a whole new generation. Parents are to protect and prepare a child to survive and thrive in this place known as our world.  Children need to be able to to see their parents as someone who can help them learn about life. 

Have you ever been a situation in which you see a kid who's about 8 years old and he or she acts out so much but isn't necessarily a bad kid. They are usually referred to having ' a lot of energy' and it tends to follow with 'poor mom' or 'you'd think the parents would be embarrassed'. First of all, let's recognize that there are plenty of parenting styles and even though we may not agree with them all we can acknowledge the fact that all parents who want to are trying their very best. 

I would like to share with you a simple concept on how we can help children and parents. There are three concepts that relate: 

1. Child's Mistaken Approach:
1. Undue attention seeking comes from a child doing their absolute all to get any sort of attention; negative or positive.
2. Child's/Teen's Needs: 
1. It is human nature to have contact and a sense of belonging. That's why it is so important we keep in person communication and contact. Yes, we have Facetime but it is not enough and it does not compare to the in person warmth of contact.
3. Parental Response:
1. As parents we need to just alway be present and available. Always offer contact freely and teach to be able to contribute.  

The three concepts allow us to visualize how much the parental response impacts the way a child will be ‘wired’. If parents do not meet the needs of a child during their young years or teenage years, the child will have withdrawals in more ways than one. The engagement between a parent and their child is what will determine how they go about the relationships in the future. 

I came across this talk by former President Thomas S. Monson, “Teach the Children” in 1997:

“Dr. Glenn Doman, a prominent author and renowned scientist, reported a lifetime of research in the statement: “The newborn child is almost an exact duplicate of an empty computer, although superior to such a computer in almost every way. … What is placed in the child’s brain during the first eight years of his life is probably there to stay. If you put misinformation into his brain during this period, it is extremely difficult to erase it (Monson, 1997).”

Again, what we teach them is important because it is truly what will carry on. Children look up to their parents so much. So parents, please remember you are more than enough and are their mom and dad for a reason. 

“Children learn through gentle direction and persuasive teaching. They search for models to imitate, knowledge to acquire, things to do, and teachers to please.”

- Thomas S. Monson

References

Monson, T. S. (n.d.). Teach the children. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved March 26, 2022, from https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1997/10/teach-the-children?lang=eng