Parenting 101

So you have this new little person who depends on you.  All of the things that mom used to say to you about being able to understand one day come to mind.  For days on end, all you hear is, "One day you'll understand. That's the day that you're going to apologize to me for all that you put me through!"
Deep down inside, you hope it isn't so.  Half of us wish that we never see half of the problems that our parents went through!

Well, I've got good news and bad news.  The good news is that with all of the "awareness classes" and "parenting classes" that are available these days, will assure that you don't go through half of that crap.
The bad news is that after these classes, you may feel refreshed for a few days, thinking, "Okay, I think I can handle. This is easy!"  Then comes the actual application of all those cute little techniques they taught you.
Do you hear the doomed music playing in the backround?  After a few nights, I started to think to myself about the new forms of abuse that have been invented throughout the years.  Did you know that tickling your child too much is a form of abuse? Yep.. apparantly, so is anything that makes the child pout.  Be careful when telling your child no in public.  No matter how much they're getting on your last nerve, be sure to say it firmly with a loving smile!

The problems that our generation will face as parents will be very different than that of our parents generation.  Now depending on where you love, the teachers will lay down the ground rules of your house for you.  If you live in Florida, this is especially true.  My children come home every day and tell me of new house rules, like they aren't allowed to do chores because their teachers said that their only concerns in life should be homework and play.  Really?  Watch out fo rthese little nuances. After several trips to the school every year, the teachers get the point, but by then, I have to reprogram the kids as well. Aahh.... the joys of parenthood!

Now, I tested these little tricks to see which were the most effective, and within legal boundaries.  When the baby is old enough to get around, constantly tell them, "If its not yours, don't touch it."  This is invaluable when they get older, if not immediately.  You want to mold their little minds, instead of calling little Johnny a bad boy, you want to say things like, " Bad boys do that.  Johnny, you're not bad, you're mommy's good boy!"   This will alleviate alot of negative behaviors also.

I really don't care what they say about your child should be able to read a book by the age of two.  This is ridiculous.  From birth until walking, I taught the kids love and basic life functions, like eating, hugging, etc.  I also would begin sitting them on the potty as soon as they were sitting on their own.  I did this every time I went potty.  For the most part, my kids potty trained themselves by the age of 18 months.  I also let them drink water from a soft top sippy cup, from the time they could hold their own bottle.  This was like a play item for them, until they grasped the idea.  I never had to train a child on cups and potties.  They naturally picked up on this from the day to day exercises.  Now as far as reading, I read to them everyday, but put more focus on the moral of the story.  This gave them a moral foundation.  I waited until three to really push the reading.  Of course, you point things out to them, but don't you want a child who can act accordingly?  There's no sense in having a child who can read, but is misbehaved and academically burnt out by kindergarden!

I will revisit this topic again, getting more in depth on some thoughts and practices.  As for now, i will call this a blog post and get some rest for the night.  I hope you enjoy all that you read!