Before the firstborn, couples would often have that lingering fear of whether they’d be good parents and whether they’re cut out for this whole parenting thing or not. They wonder about what exactly it takes to be a good parent, but every family is different and everyone has a different parenting strategy. If there’s something that every person can be taught, it’s that the lessons of parenthood don’t just come from taking care of your own children.

how-to-be-a-parentparenting

Parenting goes beyond rearing the kids that you give birth to. Although primary definitions relate to raising your own kin, Merriam-Webster defines the term as, “the process of taking care of children until they are old enough to take care of themselves.” In that aspect, you can be a parent to any child by equipping them with the right tools, means, and knowledge to be independent.

Child sponsorships are one way that people can be parents, though it’s rather unconventional in a sense. Organizations such as UnaKids, a nonprofit organisation operating mainly in the Middle East, are in search for sponsor parents for impoverished children. They want them to give these kids a chance at a better life through education. By pursuing higher level education, they’ll learn how to take care of themselves and improve their community, thereby fulfilling one the most fundamental principles of parenting. Isn’t that all we want for our children? For them to gain independence so they can make the world a better place?

Others have taken more common routes to become parents, such as adoption, running a foster home, becoming a guardian for a relative, and even rescuing a pet. Despite the different demands for each type of parenting, certain actions can be found across all styles that define good parenting. In an article by Aha! Parenting, some of the ten commitments that we should make include the commitment to guidance rather than punishment, to loving the one you are with, and to keep perspective. These are all commitments that relates to every kind of parent.

Perhaps the most important thing that parents tend to forget because they’re too busy caring for someone else is taking care of themselves. Family therapist Daniel Gottlieb, PhD. says that you should devote time for yourself and your partner so that your children can find joy in your search for contentment. You must pursue your own happiness while helping your kids pursue their own.

What is your definition of a good parent?

Guest Post

 Posted by Charlotte on April 2, 2015 Uncategorized  Add comments

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