Parenting: The Challenge

In Florida a National Survey of Families and Households was done to find out if those without children were happier than those with. Childless couples showed to be happier. Being a parent is a tough job. I think the reason it seems that childless couples are happier is because they have more time for themselves and don't have to look after anyone. They have the freedom to do whatever they want whenever they want. As a parent I think having a child is one of the happiest experiences someone can ever have. Even with al of the hard work and not knowing where money will come from. It's something you can't ever get until you do it.

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As a parent it is important to schedule in time to play with your child. When they are small they appreciate it just the time that you are with them while they are playing. As they get older being involved with their play becomes more important. Let them choose what to play and go along with their agenda. Play the parts that they assign to you. Play time with your child is also a good time for you to relax. You can give yourself a break and just spend time with your child. You can build a great bond with them during play time.

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A lot of people talk about things that need to get handled before they can have children. Maybe it's getting rid of debt, or buying a house, or just slowing down at work. The truth is there is really no "right" or "good" time to have kids, you just have to do it. If you keep waiting for that time you will never have kids! Just know that when you bring kids into the world, you will make it work however you do because it will be necessary.

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I read an article about parents being afraid that their children are so wrapped up in technology that they are losing their relationship with their kids. They fear that all of their time is consumed by programs on television depicting sex and violence. My question is, why are you afraid? You are the parent and are able to monitor what they are watching and playing. It sounds to me like these parents think the have no control over what their children are exposed to. Maybe they could enforce some rules about how much and what kind of technology they are exposed to.

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Being in the kitchen with your kids is a great way to connect. It may also get your kids interested in foods they would normally not want to even try. Having them involved in the cooking provides opportunities to share family recipes and make sure they are eating healthy. Sure there will be some times that they will have an unhealthy snack but what's important is that they eat well most of the time, not making sure it's not every single price of food they eat. Not only will it give you some valuable time with them, but you will be teaching them skill they will be able to use for a lifetime.

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How do you know when a child is old enough to stay home alone? Or how old they should be to go to the mall for the day or walk to school? Not all children achieve the same milestones at the same time. How can you tell when they are ready? A good way to start is asking the "what if" questions. Set up scenarios and ask what they would do in the situation. This will help you decide if they are mature enough to handle the situation. You will gain some insight as to what they can and cannot handle.

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It is recommended that children do not watch more than one or two hours of TV per day. For the most part I do agree with this. There are plenty other activities they can do besides TV. I would also advise parents not to have a TV in their childrens' rooms. On the other hand I think some TV is ok, and is great for when parents need a break. There are plenty of educational programs now and you can always pick out a movie instead of a show. Now that there are DVRs you can pick out specific programming that you find would be beneficial to your children when the time comes for TV watching. I think ...

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Once your child reaches the teen years, they will start to ask for money for activities and to purchase clothes, music and other things. It may be time to start teaching them some money management. Set up a budget for all the things your teen uses or needs that you may find is outside of what you feel they are entitled to. A weekly allowance is a good place to start giving them a set amount for chores done. If you feel that your teen is old enough and can handle a part time job while in school or just for the summer, encourage them to apply. This is a great way for them to learn how to make and ...

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School is coming to an end for the summer. How can you keep your kids occupied and keep them learning during the break? You don't need to schedule every minute of their time while school's out, they will need the break, but giving them opportunities for other activities is a great way to keep them motivated and learning. The library is a great way for them to explore books not required for school. Check out some in your area for workshops and events. Go to the zoo, kids love animals and to learn about them. Check for local clubs in the area geared toward kids, they may be able to go a few times a week which would be fun ...

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Are you much of a risk-taker now that you have children? It's not just me anymore that I need to think about. Having a child really changes things in terms of risky behavior. I'm not a fast driver and if I've had a small amount of alcohol, I won't drive. I want to be around for along time for my child and tasking risks just isn't worth it now that he is in my life.

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