Being a good parent

Good parenting doesn't always mean you are keeping your kids constantly going, giving them lots of experiences and giving them what they want. That stuff is all fine and good, but is more the icing on the cake and less foundational to what makes you a "good" parent.

 

1. Spend time talking with your children. No one is so busy that they can't spend 5mins talking with their kids. Make time to do this.
2. Find out what your kids like, be a part of their world. Doing this shows your kids you care about what they're doing and how they think about concepts.
3. Encourage your kids, don't be critical. Criticism tears down, encouragement builds up.
4. If you are going to "boil over" at your kids and your spouse is around, let them know you are reaching critical mass and that you need to step away and calm down. This communicates humility and that you are open to help and it models to your children how to work through anger in a healthy way.
5. Be available and have a long fuse. Kids need parents to be available more than they need more "stuff". This teaches kids that mom and dad are safe and stable. Be slow to anger. Kids have lots of questions and will ask you over and over again questions. Be patient with them and answer them calmly and lovingly