Some Tips for Parents Raising Their Kids
As school goes back into session many families focus on their children in a renewed way, at least for the moment. Wanting children to get back to school, and be prepared for the continuing and new challenges of the year are important issues on the minds of many families. The US Department of Health and Human Services has a public education web site for the support of parents and other adults to who care for kids. The site offers many suggestions for being involved with kids and the ongoing care and raising of them. The side can be found atwww.samhsa.gov. Thanks to a religious periodical that I subscribe to I would like to share their summary of the useful and important information which is found there.
1. Talk with your child. Talk with your child, every day! Establish good communication and reinforce it. The earlier in a child’s life you do this will strengthen the adult child relationship and its importance as the child grows and the family develops.
2. Get involved. Positive activities in a child’s life give children worthwhile things to do. The involvement of parents and caring adults in activities with children is a wonderful preventative for mental health and substance abuse problems. When adults get involved with kids it lets kids know that they and their activities are important and worthwhile to pursue; much positive reinforcement for kids occurs in this way.
3. Set rules. Do this consistently, even when a child says “no”. Set rules that are clear and simple; communicate them in a way that is age appropriate. A two-year-old cannot understand long and involved explanations. From the age of eve five and on up an explanation that is geared to the child’s level of understanding and comprehension is imperative. Setting rules early and consistently provides daily habits of self-discipline. Self-discipline helps to protect the child’s physical safety and mental well being; this can reduce the risk of substance abuse problems.
4. Be a role model. It is true that “actions speak louder than words.” It really becomes important to “practice what you preach.” Your child learns behaviors and thoughts by watching you speak and act. Do not take part of condone any illegal, unhealthy or dangerous practice unless you want to give your child the idea that such practices and ideas are okay.
5. Teach your child to choose friends wisely. Be involved in your child’s social development appropriate to the child’s age. Show your child how to form positive relationships. The pressure to use tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs comes from wanting to be accepted. Find qualities in friends that model your value system and can help the child choose the friends that he/she wants for him/herself.
6. Monitor your child’s activities. Be aware of what your child listens to, what your child reads, where your child goes when he/she surfs the net. Talk with your child about his/her interest’s ideas and encourage them to talk to you. Through talking to them you can impart your values and beliefs. By monitoring your child’s activities, research shows, children are less likely to engage in situations which are harmful and which you might disapprove of.
These are just a few ideas. Realize that they take time, commitment, and consistency to put into practice. But they will help you to raise the kind of children you will be proud of.
This article first appeared in editions of the Hometown Newspapers in Metropolitan Detroit, MI.
Dr. Paul Melrose
