Parenting
For many of us we are taught that parenting is as natural as putting proper clothing or grabbing an umbrella when it is raining. However, parenting is not an automatic in our lives but instead learned behavior. Our children were not born with a how-to-manual; darn it. Therefore, we must learn how to become loving, caring and effective parents.
According to Webster Unabridged Dictionary parent is termed as a protector or guardian; further it states that a parent as one who act as parent of; to parent children with both love and discipline, and/or a person who brings up and cares for another.
That interpretation of a parent fails to give one the method involved in caring for another or parenting. So just how are we to know how to raise our child/children? Most of us use what our parents taught us. But is that enough?
The three major goals of parenting include:
Ensuring children’s health and safety
Preparing children for life as productive adults
Transmitting cultural values (Encyclopedia of Psychology)
Thank goodness we have some innate abilities or we would really be in trouble.
Are single parent households uncommon?
No-over the past 20 years single parent homes in US increased
Single parent households have become more common than nuclear families (both mother/father)
Nuclear families consist of father, mother and children; sometimes grandparents raising grandchildren
Modern family structure households headed by fathers only, mothers only or grandparent only; as well as aunts, uncles, and sometimes adult siblings
Now to revisit the mechanisms of parenting:
Parents and caretakers make sure children are healthy and safe, equip them with the skills and resources to succeed as adults, and transmit basic cultural values to them.
Parents and caretakers offer their children love, acceptance, appreciation, encouragement, and guidance.
Parents and caretakers provide the most intimate context for the nurturing and protection of children as they develop their personalities and identities and as they mature physically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially.
Information courtesy of American Psychological Association
Read more on Positive Parenting
What are the benefits of positive parenting?
Positive parent-child relationships provide a foundation for children’s, learning for which they bring into their adulthood. With parents’ sensitive, responsive, and predictable care, young children develop the skills they need to succeed in life. Early parent-child relationships have powerful effects on children’s emotional well-being (Dawson & Ashman, 2000), their basic coping and problem-solving abilities, and future capacity for relationships (Lerner & Castellino, 2002). From Positive Parent-Child-Relationships.
4-Key points to positive parenting success:
An Effective Parent
your words and actions influence your child the way you want them too.A Consistent Parent
you follow similar principles or practices in your words and actions.An Active Parent
you participate in your child’s life.An Attentive Parent
You pay attention to your child’s life and observe what goes on.
What is community and how important is it?
Instructing child(ren) in social skills
Teaching child(ren) how to share
Instructing child(ren) about fairness (age appropriate)
Important when engaging play dates
Model, Model your best selves
Child (ren) do-as-one-do and not what one say!
Hey parents, let us remember that parenting skills are not automatic nor does a how-to-manual magically appear at the birth of the child. Parenting is largely learned behaviors as well as information passed from one generation to another. It is okay to ask questions, read a book or two, or enroll in a parenting class, as this is ok for moms, dads, grandparents, or any designated care provider. It’s important to strived to become an effective parent, practice consistency, be active in your child/children’s life, and do more listening than talking. If you need more help on parenting or building a great relationship with your child, call me and I can help. I work in both locations, Murrieta and Riverside.
by Valerie Fluker, Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
All people come to counseling to relieve pain and suffering. They feel they have little to no hope left. What they have been doing isn’t working anymore or maybe never did. They feel out of control, scared, and do not know where to turn. Or they may need education in the form of Parenting or Co-parenting classes. Or some just need to work on relationship issues or manage anxiety. Regardless of what brought you to this website I can help. I am caring, understanding and I want you to feel better. I see great things happening for most people within a few sessions. These clients start to feel happy, gain more confident and report they are satisfied with their life. While I cannot guarantee you the same results, I have seen positive results with most clients.
I became a counselor because I wanted to harness great hope and positive energy and to help install healing for my clients. I consider working with people in therapy an honor and privilege to work with each client. In therapy, each person develops their positive mental wellness plan and great growth often takes place.
I discovered my passion for counseling teens while volunteering for Riverside Youth Probation. I enjoyed seeing these teens learn and grow as they figure out who they will become. I also work with caregivers of dementia clients and I see the struggle to care for their loved one. I frequently work with people that suffer from depression, anxiety and trauma. I have specialized training in trauma, working with children and elder adults.
I am a member of the following professional organizations:
Purple City Alliance helps make The City of Riverside a Dementia Friendly City.
American Counseling Association (ACA).
I look forward to meeting and working with you.