06peapril2003

A is for Accountability: Give children responsibilities so they feel competent and needed.
Teach accountability by enforcing reasonable, age-appropriate consequences.
B is for Boundaries: Set specific boundaries for behavior and explain reasons for limits.
Identify consequences of obeying as well as ignoring boundaries.
C is for Caring Consistency: Maintain predictable, stable moods. Be consistent in caregiving,
daily routines (meals, hygiene, sleep schedule), discipline, family rituals and, in the cases of divorce, regular visitation with both parents and their extended families.
D is for Discipline: Discipline to teach and obtain constructive results, not to demean,
humiliate or frighten.Take a firm and respectful stand with children to guide behavior.
Don’t be gullible or become a pushover for kids who test your limits. Keep a strong backbone, but be flexible when circumstances warrant it. Exceptions are acceptable, E is for Ethical Example:Your example of life with dignity (or shame) is, and will always be,
your children’s most influential guide and teacher. Practice what you preach.
F is for Forgiveness: Forgive with gentleness and sincerity. This teaches children to be
compassionate and patient with their own shortcomings, as well those of others.
G is for Giving: Give children opportunities to help others. Encourage them to enjoy the
intrinsic reward of contributing to the well being of others.
H is for Humor: Never miss the chance to laugh with children — but never laugh at them.
Keep perspective by maintaining a sense of humor. Laugh in wacky situations parents invariably encounter. Remember, you aren’t the first parent to be stumped and perplexed beyond belief, and you won’t be the last. It’s an occupational hazard of being a mom or I is for Imagination: Fully enjoy parenting by encouraging and taking delight in kids’
imaginations. Perk up humdrum life by doing creative things just for the fun it. Be spontaneous. Occasional pillow fights in the morning or water fights while washing the J is for Justice: Be fair with children and your spouse.Avoid acts of favoritism. Admit
mistakes made in the heat of anger. Avoid being judgmental about trivial matters. Strive for equity, rather than rigid equality, as you extend privileges and enforce consequences according to each child’s age, abilities, experience, and maturation level.
K is for Knowing: Know the people your child interacts with regularly—neighborhood
families, child care or school classmates and their parents, caregivers, and teachers.
Spend time with them, invite them into your home and visit their homes. Model your L is for Listening: Take time to listen to children daily. Listen for feelings as well as facts.
Turn the radio and TV off and give undivided concentration to mutual dialogue.
Respond thoughtfully rather than giving condescending nods or “uh-huhs.” M is for Move Together: Couch potatoes rot: so, MOVE! Together, take walks, ride bikes,
dance, hike woodland paths, rollerblade trails, rake leaves, fish, fly kites, play tag, wrestle, play catch, hunt for bullfrogs, chase fireflies. Get my drift? N is for No: Say it, mean it, don’t apologize for it. No matter what kids say, other parents say
“no,” too. And you’re not in a parent popularity contest.Trust your instincts to keep kids safe; they depend on your wisdom. Because they’re just learning to stand up to peers and to be loyal to personal beliefs, kids often need you to say “no” for them. It gives them a sense of support and security. Saying “yes” to anything and everything abandons kids; leaving them to struggle, even drown, in rough waters that are always part of growing Parenting Exchange • April 2003 • 1 O is for Optimistic: Always look for the best in kids, not the worst. Focus on good things that can happen, rather than doom and
gloom. Let kids know you have faith they can build a wonderful life for themselves.
P is for Playful: Take time to have fun together! Spend time playing indoors and out. Read and sing together, go swimming, dawdle
in mud puddles, catch lightning bugs, invite tickle attacks. Let work become play by gardening or building bird houses together.
Q is for Questions: Be an askable parent by giving kids time for questions, no matter how unexpected they are. Listen carefully to
understand what is really on a child’s mind. Ask open-ended questions to help kids cope with and understand life experiences: “What do you think happened?” Gear your answers to your child’s age and ability to understand.
R is for Respect and Reverence: Children are a sacred expression of life’s continuity. Respect and cherish them accordingly and they
will return the sentiment. Encourage children’s senses of wonder; take time to dally in awe and amazement. It will teach them to be reverent of all living things. Share your faith, beliefs and values. Demonstrate them through private and public actions, S is for Standards: Set high but reasonable standards for children’s behavior and achievement. Encourage performance with
sincere interest and involvement in children’s activities. Coach, mentor, and tutor children to facilitate accomplishment. Avoid pressuring through constant competition or comparison with others. Instead encourage children to consistently improve on T is for Trust: Remind children often that you trust them to do the right thing. Until blatantly proven otherwise, assure children
you trust their honesty. When kids fail to meet expectations, assure them you trust they’ll do better next time.
Avoid pressuring through constant competition or comparison with others. Instead encourage children to consistently improve on their own personal best.
U is for Understanding Uniqueness: Don’t expect children to be carbon copies of you or their siblings. Avoid unflattering
comparisons. Rather than resent differences, enjoy and capitalize on them. Accept all family members’ temperaments, and personalities with kindness. Monitor your attitude so you don’t subtly value one child more than another.
V is for Voicing Appreciation: Don’t pass up on the chance to say something good. With words and hugs, acknowledge and praise
W is for Keeping Your Word: Keep your word by walking your talk and keeping promises, otherwise trust is undermined. If you
break a promise, explain why, express regret, and make amends. Choose words wisely; just like sticks and stones, they can hurt.
X is for eXpectations: Set realistic expectations for everyone, including you. Perfection is unattainable. When behavior is
disappointing, be respectful and patient. Take a deep breath, tell yourself to hang in there, and try to prevent reoccurrence.
Y is for You: You are children’s safety nets. They can’t succeed without your support and guidance. To deal with the demands
parenting puts on your mind and energy, keep yourself physically and emotionally fit. Your happiness is important to the kids, Z is for Zest: In spite of its inevitable ups and downs, approach family life with zest and enthusiasm. Live each day together as if it
could be your last. Never let a day go by without giving your child a hug or casually saying that all so important,“Love you.” They’ll be grown and on to building a family of their own before you know it.
about creative parenting ideas, check out the Parenting Exchange Librar ■ Fears, Helping Children Cope with Fears Category • Fears are a Normal Part of a Child’s
Development • Behavior:When Children’s Behavior is Typical — or Not • Children’s Behavior: What’s Normal? ■ Doctors Visits and Hospitalization • Parents Should Prepare Children for
Doctor Visits ■ Dental Health • Teach Good Dental health During Early Childhood
About the Author — Karen Stephens is director of Illinois State University Child Care Center and instructor in childdevelopment for the ISU Family and Consumer Sciences Department. She writes a weekly column for parents in her local newspaper. Karen is author of two books and frequent contributor to Child Care Information Exchange.
Parenting Exchange • April 2003 • 2

Source: http://www.sequoiachildren.org/sites/sequoiachildren.org/files/ABC's%20Prrenting%20Tips%20April2003.pdf