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 << Back to Parenting Corner Take Time Out to Be A Better Parent Time Out Teddy Will Tell You How Who Taught You to Be a Parent? Parenting is a skill that must be learned, just like driving or cooking. Most of us learned what we know about parenting from our own parents. This education could prove helpful, or possibly harmful, depending on how we were treated as children. Because parenthood is one of the most demanding jobs there is, we need help developing the skills necessary to make it a joy for both ourselves and our children. It's okay to seek help in improving our parenting skills. This brochure was developed with the hope that the ideas it presents will be a starting point for you to explore new skills as a parent. It is important that you realize that our brochure does not have all the answers. We strongly suggest that you find other resources for additional help and information. Let's take time out to learn! Take Time Out to Know Your Child We all need certain things in order to develop properly.
Infants need . . . The basics: food, clothing, shelter, sleep. They also need extra warmth, attention, cuddling, and eye contact, all given in a consistent, loving manner. Toddlers need . . . A safe place to explore, and stimulation of their physical senses through play. They need to be allowed to do some things on their own, and to learn about their bodies. Toddlers need to be read to, so that they can learn to talk. Preschoolers need . . . To be allowed to try new things, as long as they're safe. They need rules that do not keep them from developing their abilities. They also need our approval to express good as well as bad feelings. Elementary school students need . . . To know the proper way for doing things. They need to be independent and dependent at the same time. Elementary schoolers need to form friendships, and to be like others their own age. They need to test your rules and begin to develop their own opinions. High school students need . . . To become independent from parents, and to accept responsibility for their behavior. They need to develop their own identity and beliefs. High schoolers need parent support and permission to become themselves. Take Time Out to Learn About Discipline Discipline is teaching our children the proper and safe way to behave so that they will know how to act as adults. Discipline is not the same as punishment. Punishment is simply an unpleasant consequence for a certain behavior. Punishment only shows a child what they shouldn't do, not what they should do. Positive discipline involves encouraging behaviors that we would like the child to learn. We must inform the child of what those behaviors are and, once they are manifested, praise the effort as soon as possible with our words, hugs or maybe a special treat. When your child behaves improperly, the goal is to point out the error and explain why it is wrong. One way to do this is a method called "Time Out." Take Time Out to Take Care of You You don't stop being a person when you become a parent. We all have our own needs and interests, and we deserve the time to pursue those. By doing these things we will feel better about ourselves and our children. It will be easier to meet their needs when we have taken care of our own. You should take advantage of the time that you are given to fulfill your own needs. Use naptime to read a book, soak in a hot tub or rest. When the children are at school or the day care, visit friends or go shopping. It is important that you work at taking time for yourself on a regular basis. It will not happen on its own! Rules for "Time Out"
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