So I went to a baby-shower and then was a bit bored at work and made this list. I was thinking what it means to be a good parent. Obviously, we can’t control what our kids will turn out like (and I don’t have kids so I’m rather uneducated in parenting) but I guess we should have a goal in mind. So I have a “parenting objective” and then ways to get there. Just ideas, and they may change. In the end it doesn’t really matter what the steps/sub-bullets are exactly, as long as they are things that get you closer to achieving the objective.
Parenting Objective: Put your child on the path to become their best self and become an independent responsible adult.
Steps:
Teach good morals/religion
-Have “Family Home Evenings” weekly – teach a moral lesson
-Serve as a family & serve the members of the family
-When you watch movies, discuss the morals
-Attend church as a family
-Family prayer and scripture study daily
Teach them how to be healthy
– Establish healthy habits as a family.
-Explain why things are healthy/unhealthy.
-As they get older give them more responsibility for their health (ie how much Halloween candy/dessert they can eat at once etc.)
Teach them how to manage money so their money doesn’t manage them
-Give them an allowance or pay them for chores and have them be responsible for buying certain things (ie entertainment, clothes, car insurance, etc.) Give them more responsibility as they get older.
-Teach them how much it costs to run a household.
-Teach them basic finances as a teenager (ie credit cards, buying a house, insurance, retirement, etc)
Instill the love of learning
-Read with them. Help them find interesting books
-Do exciting science projects with them.
-Be involved in their education. They won’t love learning if they are behind in school.
-Limit screen time, so they will get more involved in reading and other activities. As they get older give them more control over their schedule (screen time).
-Reward good grades – the reward could be verbal praise, money, daddy/mommy dates, etc
Help them find their passions
-Similar as instilling the love of learning
-Encourage activities like music, drama, art, science, math, sports, etc. Perhaps sign them up for a club/sports team/music class outside of school.
Help them develop their talents
-Encourage and support whatever their talents may be – sports, cooking, choir, math, etc.
Teach them the value of time
Teach social & emotional skills
-How to resolve conflict, how to forgive, how to express emotions, … need more thought on this one.