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The Importance of Educating Today’s Parents

Although most parents would agree that their children are more important than their job, most usually get more on-the-job training than they do as a parent. As a Mother of seven once said, “The love is instinctual but the skills are not.”

A NATIONAL MOVEMENT

A 1990 study by fifteen of the nation’s largest youth organizations found that the United States has done poorly in solving the problems affecting today’s youth. There was broad agreement that the number-one solution to these problems was . . . better parents. As a result of their findings, the final report calls for a massive increase in parent education.

President Bush then released a statement of six national goals for education. The number-one goal states that “by the year 2000, all children in America will start school ready to learn.” To attain this goal “parents will have access to the training and support they need.”

President Bush’s comments represent a movement in thinking which places more value on the importance of a parent’s role in preparing children for school and life. It is encouraging to see that there is a growing awareness that families need support and education . . . in order to strengthen parents’ skills and prevent future problems.

SOCIETY HAS CHANGED

In the past, when parents had questions about child-rearing they would usually have an extended family member close by to ask advice. While some parents may have family close by, many admit that their elders’ advice on child-rearing often differs from current parenting information or their preferred style. This is a result of changes in our society over the past few decades:

Children are no longer “needed” to work side by side with their parents, like farmers’ children of the past. This helped children feel they had something important to contribute and taught them basic responsibility and life-management skills. Today, children search for ways to belong in the family and with peers, sometimes in unhealthy ways.

Superior/inferior family relationships are no longer being modeled by mothers and fathers. Women have equal rights and children feel equally unwilling to accept an inferior, submissive role in life. This change is healthy, in that all people do have a right to be treated with respect and dignity. It leaves many parents, however, with few role models or practical skills for achieving this goal.

Early on, children are being taught that they have rights: to their bodies, their feelings, and to be treated by others with dignity as a worthwhile human being.

As a result, power-and-control parenting techniques are no longer effective, because parents “talk down” to “inferior” children. This style, therefore, inherently violates a child’s right to be treated with respect, children recognize this, rebel and lose respect for the controlling parent. As our society became more affluent, many parents became more permissive and over-indulgent. Their children often grew up thinking the world owed them a living and they used their energy trying to get out of responsibilities.

Children are facing issues previous generations never had to face. It is important for parents to listen and communicate in open, respectful ways, so their children will feel safe in discussing their problems and feelings.

Although some of these societal changes have brought about positive results, they have left parents with few clear guidelines for how to raise this new generation of children into responsible adults.

EFFECTIVE, QUALITY PARENT EDUCATION

What it Isn’t . . .

Parent education does not focus on what parents are doing wrong or advocate never disciplining children, as many parents assume. It provides new options to parents and encourages them to respect their own rights, as well as their children’s.

Attending a parenting class is not a reflection of being a “bad” parent . . . it is an indication of a parent’s commitment to his/her children and role as a parent. The classes are not just for parents who are having severe problems with their children’s behavior. Many parents who attend classes want to feel more confident of their parenting and are looking for ways to prevent future problems and help their family get along cooperatively.

What it Is . . .

The most effective parenting classes are small, personal groups which provide opportunities for interaction among parents, practice of concepts and techniques learned, and individualized problem solving. Like most new skills, parents can benefit from ongoing reinforcement of what they have learned. Follow-up parent discussion groups, where parents can meet with others who have taken the class, provide an opportunity to continue applying the concepts to new situations.

MAKING THE COMMITMENT

Although professionals often recommend parenting classes, there are several issues which seem to prevent parents from joining these groups: finding a class, making the time commitment, and cost. All three really boil down to the underlying issue of priorities. If a parent looks at how much time and money he/she spends on business seminars, golf lessons, weekly fast food, or vacations, it makes sense to place a priority on attending a parenting class, which usually costs less than all of these! Parenting classes are an investment in your personal growth, your child’s future, and in future generations. Consider doing your part to make this world a better place for everyone’s children. Read a parenting book that gives trustworthy, accurate advice or check out your community’s resources for local parenting classes.

Welcome To The World Baby

The big day is here! After nine months of waiting…Your long sleepless nights are over. Say goodbye to morning sickness and terrible headaches. The day you’ve been waiting for is here! Welcome to the world baby!

They say giving birth is a very painful experience but this is also the happiest day for every mother on earth. A healthy baby is worth the pain and the wait. Nothing can ever replace the joy of seeing that little angel in your arms.

A baby is a special gift from God. They’re like little angels sent from above to bring joy to mankind. Look at those little fingers, little toes…it’s really amazing how their presence light up our lives.

A baby is a delicate creature and thus they need special care and attention. It’s easy for us now to find the perfect gift for our baby, one perfect example is through the net. Finding the perfect baby gift is just a click away nowadays.

There are a variety of baby gifts you can choose from the net. From simple blankets, baby toys, baby clothes to unique baby gifts such as personalized bracelets and many others.

For newborn babies a receiving blanket is the perfect baby gift. It should be made of fine materials such as cotton and fleece. Babies are used to warm environment in their mother womb, so they will really love to have that warm and comforting feeling when they come out of this world.

Another fine baby gift for your newborn is a comfortable baby crib. As newborns we all know that all they want to do is sleep…sleep…sleep. Mothers would surely want to see their little angel safe and sound in its crib. It is very important to first look into the safety features when buying these sleeping things.

Wouldn’t it be nice to see your little angel wrapped in such comfortable clothes? Another lovely baby gift for your baby is cute but comfortable clothing. It should be made of fine material to suit your baby’s delicate skin. It is best also that it has features for easy dressing up since your precious one is very fragile at the moment.

To keep your baby’s head warm, an adorable hat would be a nice baby gift. We all know that babies have little hair so they don’t have enough protection on their head. Whether you are in door or outdoor these cute hats would surely keep their little heads warm and safe from harm.

Little foot…little toes…these sure need protection too. Baby booties are another example of baby must-haves. Baby booties should be comfortable as to keep your baby’s feet warm. It is also important that they could move their feet freely.

Mittens! To protect your little angel’s hand, a nice and comfy mitten would be nice. Sometimes we think these are things we really don’t need but come to think of it…these mittens for example would prevent your baby from accidentally scratching her face which is as delicate as any part of her body.

Your precious one deserves only the best. Give them the loving they truly deserve!

Purpose Baby Shower – Why Have Baby Showers

Purpose Baby Shower – Why Have Baby Showers?

No matter whether you are a parent-to-be, a friend of a mom-to-be, or someone just interested in the whole reason for a baby shower, having a better understanding of why people end up throwing these events can give you some much needed insight before you start mailing shower invitations. Remember that the knowing the Purpose Baby Shower, http://www.cards-411.com/type-baby-shower/purpose-baby-shower will help you determine the Baby Shower Type, http://www.cardsshoppe.com/baby-shower-invitations/ you want, plan the event accordingly and will help you get a better idea of why you’re throwing one in the first place. Let’s delve into this topic in a little more detail.

Baby Shower Purpose Originally

Even in ancient Egypt and Rome, the baby shower party was part of the traditions associated with welcoming a new child into the world. However, there really wasn’t much of a party involved. Instead, the other mothers would provide the new mom with items she would need to care for her child, such as clothing. Some of the items would be passed around throughout the community. Clearly back then, these informal events were very practical and were meant to help prepare new mothers for the newest family member. But, it did server as the origin history baby shower.

Later, the Purpose Baby Shower became associated with entertaining the new mom before and after she was confined with her child. In Victorian times, new moms were sequestered with their new infants for about a month and that could be a very lonely time. Of course, she never had to send out baby shower invitations. Friends and family members knew when they could drop by to visit with her and to bring gifts for the new baby.

Today, showers have swung back to their original purpose while also being about celebrating an important event in the family’s life. Showers today, include baby coed shower, http://www.express-invitations.com/baby-shower-invitations/ and even couples baby shower.

The Modern Purpose Baby Shower

Of course, we also share something with the parties of just a few decades earlier. Between the Victorian Era and World War II, only the wealthiest people had the means and the time to throw baby showers. That meant most people only read about them in the society columns of the newspapers and never attended them. After the war, however, people began seeing their incomes increase and starting throwing their own celebrations. While these were, in part, to have fun, they were also attempts to show off their growing annual salaries for all of their friends, family members, and neighbors. A part of most of us still wants to show off whether it’s by having a fantastic shower or by having an adorable baby for everyone to adore. The surprise baby shower had not been used.

At this time, the Purpose Baby Shower is also to celebrate this big event and to bring the families together. Remember that a new child is a great way to unify two families: the mother’s family and the father’s family. Children are a great way to make these connections and the Purpose Baby Shower is to celebrate this special time in the couple’s and the families’ lives. It’s definitely one of the most wonderful reasons to throw a party or any Type Baby Shower, http://www.cards-411.com/type-baby-shower/

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