To Be A Better Parent I Will Strive To Be:
BRAVE enough to say no when it would be easier to say yes to my child, especially when I know that my refusal will make me unpopular and him angry.
PATIENT enough to let my child learn from his own mistakes.
LOVING enough to let him suffer the consequences of his actions.
HONEST enough to tell the truth when my child comes to me with a question.
SENSITIVE enough to be there when he needs me.
INTELLIGENT enough to realize that he has much to teach me if I will only be willing to listen.
DETERMINED enough to listen more and talk less, especially when my child is trying to tell me something.
ACCEPTING enough to realize that my child is a separate person with needs, qualities, strengths and weaknesses unlike me and unique to him.
BIG enough to apologize when I jump to conclusions or blame someone else when the fault is mine.
COURAGEOUS enough to take a good look In the mirror and honestly evaluate the self I see.
SELF-DISCIPLINED enough to attempt to master new goals.
STRONG enough to put forth the effort to become the person of my dreams.
TOLERANT enough to accept weaknesses and shortcomings in others without griping or belittling them.
SECURE enough to look for and affirm the good I see in others.
CAPABLE enough to cope with daily obstacles, attempting to solve problems and not just complain about them.
COMPASSIONATE enough to show respect to younger and older people by sacrificing time and energies for them.
KIND enough to be concerned about the needs of others.
WISE enough to remember that if I want my child to grow up to possess these noble traits, it will be necessary for him to see them first in me.
I will remember that hitting and/or screaming only tells the child to be more careful to not be caught the next time.
I will remember that hitting only teaches violence.
I will remember that talking and conveying feelings will help my child to better cope with his problems.
I will remember that re-directing behavior has more of a positive effect than yelling or hitting.
I will remember that my child is a child, and to let him be just that.
I will not withhold love when my child is bad-this just teaches him that he is not loved.
Becka has a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education and Development, and has 17 years experience in the field. She is a Certified Parent Educator and Licensed Baby, Toddler, and Preschool Sign Language Instructor. You can visit her site, at www.learnandgrowtogether.com
Proud Mama To
