Parenting EducationI'm not sure you could ever get enough parenting education. Even if you feel like you're ready to conquer the world of parenting with your child-rearing knowledge-base, parenting will always be full of surprises.I sure wish I had had some parenting education before I started my family. Sure, I learned some parenting skills by having four younger siblings (or so I thought). And I did tend other people’s children (at .25 cents an hour...) as a kid. But, I definitely didn't have enough education for the “real life experience.” If you don’t have children yet or even if you do, you may want to make a concerted effort to get some “parenting education” to help you on your journey through “parenthood.” Looking back, there many things I would have done differently. I would have: • Listened more • Given more hugs • More kisses • Read more stories • Spent more quality time • Given more positive feedback • Encouraged their natural curiosity • Reminded them more often how important they are and most importantly... • Told them much more often just how special and unique they really are. The Parenting Education Resources website writes: "Parenting education is the key to raising successful children, create competent, confident parents, and building strong families and communities. With love, limits, and lots of involvement, parents can have a major influence in developing happy, healthy and well-behaved children." Learn more here:
Parent Education Resources.
As is often the case, my husband and I relied a lot on what we had learned from our parents; tried to implement the things we liked and tried not to do the things we didn’t like. That can be a tough hurdle, but is certainly doable when you are determined and realize that your parenting style has a profound effect on the outcome of your children. This is the information age. Take advantage of the myriad of learning resources. There are many magazines with articles relative to parenting and books galore. I like to shop at Amazon.com for books. I have ordered “used” books from them many times, at a reduced price, and have never been disappointed. Find the particular topic you are interested in and then check the reviews. I also look to my family, friends, church magazines, and leaders in my church for advice that I know I can trust. As mothers and fathers, our most important responsibility takes place in our homes where parents have the most influence over the well-being and progression of their children.
“Where there is great love there are always miracles.” Willa Cather
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