Resolution Parenting Requires Us To Understand Our Parenting Contributions And Resolve To Improve Our Efforts Where Needed

Now that the New Year of 2011 is a reality, it is time to reflect back on the year 2010 and consider on our efforts and accomplishments in the realm of parenting. Resolution Parenting is all about seeing where we have been as parents, and making resolutions to do better in those areas that need our extra attention and improvement.

It may be time to finally set some definite Parenting Rules, or maybe this is the year to follow through on Consequence Parenting.

There are many ways you can judge the results of your parenting efforts during the previous year. You can judge them in part based on your efforts as a parent, or based on the level of happiness or accomplishment as seen in your children’s lives, or even based on your family dynamics at the end of 2010 compared to what they were at the start of the year.

Of course you can use whatever measuring stick you desire for your resolution parenting scorecard, but let’s quickly focus on three areas that apply to parents everywhere.

Your Efforts As A Parent

Effort is a subjective measurement. Only we know ourselves how much parental effort we are exerting, and yet we DO know in our heart of hearts how much we care and how much we try in the realm of parenting.

Resolution Parenting requires you to consider on what you planned on doing as a parent last year, and how much of what you planned on doing you actually did, and how well you did it.

Some common areas of concern for parents everywhere is how much time you are spending with your children, how well you handle the problems that occur in your child’s life, and how much effort and patience you put into understanding your child and then how you attempt to help and mentor them through whatever struggles or needs they are currently going through.

So reflect back on how you did in these parenting areas last year, and make solid Parenting Resolutions to improve on those parenting areas that need your improvement.

Happy New Year. . . - © Biscarotte

The Growth And Happiness Of Your Children

Have you ever heard the saying “The proof is in the pudding”?

It means you can judge the success of something by how it turns out. Resolution Parenting advocates the same sentiment when it comes to judging your parenting success by how well your children are doing, or “turning out”.

This requires that you really KNOW your children, and that you understand realistically how well your child should be doing compared to other children of their age group and development. This is not to say you should even compare your child to other children per se, but you should know whether they are on par with their age group peers or not.

If your child is happy and doing well in school, those are all good signs that you are parenting properly.

If your child has Temper Issues, is Lying, stealing, not getting good grades, or is demonstrating any other negative behaviors or attitudes, then these are ALL signs that you have some very important parenting work to do and fast.

Know your child and realize that THEIR lives reflect in a very real way YOUR parenting effectiveness. Do judge your parenting results by the children you parent. Parenting Resolutions are needed to fix what may be wrong, so analyze the situation and make plans for improvements today.

Family Dynamics

The ultimate goal of proper parenting is the healthy and happy growth and development of our children. This is demonstrated in the family dynamic that exists in our homes.

Home should be a safe and happy place where all the members of the family feel loved, wanted, valued, respected and protected.

If this does not reflect your own home life then Resolution Parenting requires that you make goals to transform your home into just such a place for the benefit of your children who deserve such a home, and for your own and your family’s health and well-being.

The family dynamic that exists in your home will clearly demonstrate the success or failure of your parenting efforts.

Make the changes needed to improve the family dynamics within the walls of your own home. As a parent that is your responsibility, and it will be your own happiness you ensure when your home is a safe, accepting and loving place for every member of the family.

As a conclusion, keep in mind that no parenting success or failure is ever permanent. Parenting is an on-going effort of love and we should never content ourselves with past parenting success, nor despair in the false notion that a current parenting failure is a permanent one.

Resolution Parenting is to resolve now to be a better parent this year than you were last year, and then to plan concrete action items that will help you reach your parenting resolutions and goals for a happier parenting tomorrow.

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