Since no one reads this, my words have no consequence, but I thought I’d put this out there. Good parenting is simple. Insanely hard, and heartbreaking, but simple.
- Always do what you say. If you say “do that one more time, and we’re going home,” you had better go home when they do it again. No second chances. Don’t say it if you don’t mean to do it. Teach them that you are a person of your word. This will add weight to all the times you say “I love you.”
- You’re their parent, not their friend. If you do the parenting thing right, you can be their friend later. Your job is to keep them safe, grow them healthy and smart, expose them to all the world has to offer. Help them discover their talents – math, science, cooking, construction, people skills, whatever. The goal is to raise competent, capable humans that can help others.
I may amend this later..