April 9, 2025 Parental Responsibilities
“If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do matters very much.”
⁃ Jackie Kennedy
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Listen to this meditation on audio:
To be a parent is to be a role model, a coach, a teacher and a confidant. That's a tall order for someone who may not meet all of those qualifications and who perhaps did not ask for the job. Even though you may not have volunteered for the job, you did do something that was hopefully enjoyable that 36 weeks later produced a little life form, call a baby. Let's keep in mind that the child derived no pleasure from its conception, nor did it have any say in who its parents would be. As a parent, you may feel totally qualified for the job, totally unqualified for the job, or somewhere in between. But here's the bottom line; ready or not, that little human is totally reliant on you for its present and its future well-being. Therefore, parenting is a serious undertaking that will demand your best effort in order for your child to thrive in the months and years ahead. There are many things you will need to learn and many future situations that will try your patience and test your metal. So in the interest of saving you some future headaches and possible heartaches, I wanted to share a few of my parenting thoughts for you to take and use as you see fit, or totally discard if they don't make sense to you. First of all, please be aware that your children are not your property. As their custodian, you are charged with the responsibility of providing age-appropriate guidance as you model conscientious adult behavior so that you prepare them for successful navigation of life's peaks and valleys. Giving and demanding respect may not come easy for you, but you will have to learn how to do that. We already have enough parents who are constantly disrespected and talked down to by their children. You should be friendly with your children, but not their friend. You can't tell your friends what to do and expect them to do it. Your child cannot be your friend until they are grown. Lastly, for now, your children need to know by your behavior, that you are in charge of your home and that the way you show love is by how you talk to them hug them and your concern for them when they need it. Children need to know that they can trust you to keep your word; to say what you mean and to mean what you say. Please don't be a coward. Be a parent.
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