Good parents have great potential to change the world in a positive way. In the craziness of everyday life such as work, family, health, house payments, bills, etc. it can be a challenge to be a great parent and do all that is required of you. Being a good father is not something that people are born with the instinct to do. It is a skill like any other that is learned and improved with experience. With life keeping us busy, we must always look for ways to hone and improve our parenting skills.

Parenting IS a priority

If you are raising children, then you need to make parenting a priority. Many parents think that it is more important to be friends with their children than to be their father. Let me be very clear on this point. Your children will have friends. They NEED a father. It’s okay to be friends with your child, but you should always know when the parent needs to be there.

Be an example to follow

Children learn by observing role models. You must realize that YOU are your role model. You need to set good examples for your child. I always find it amusing how some parents lecture their children about important topics like smoking and drugs while smoking right in front of their children. Sorry, the adages do what I say not what I do just isn’t enough in parenting. Be the role model.

kids need limits

Children MUST have limits. They need to clearly understand what the limits are and what the consequences are if they cross those limits. If your child breaks a rule, he needs a consequence for that action. The consequence must be appropriate to the situation and consistent. Lack of follow-through or consistency in consequences is one of the biggest and most common mistakes many parents make. It’s so much easier to stay in control if you don’t give it away!

In two-parent households, BOTH parents must follow the same participation rules. The children are intelligent! They will learn to exploit any inconsistencies between the parents. In single-parent households make sure that

This is a tough one folks. In serious cases, don’t confront them when you’re angry. Once you let go and start screaming, you’ve lost the battle. It is much better to send them to their room until it cools down. This will also give you time to think about what you are going to say before you broach the problem. There was more than one occasion where I grounded one of my daughters to her bedroom for the rest of their lives! Do you think they believed me?

Quality family time is important

Make time for family time. Family dinner is one of the best places to talk about your day and grow your relationship with your child. Turn off the television or radio and listen to what they have to say. It is important to establish open and honest communication with your children. You want them to be able and willing to come to you when they have questions or face challenges that could have a profound effect on their life IF they make the wrong decision. This trust and openness is built over time by having good communication.