The Power of Parenting By Ferdinand Yates, Jr., M.D., M.A. [HealthyLife] According to a Pew Research Study in 2017: • 56 percent of working parents said they find it difficult to balance their time between work and family. • 63 percent wish they had done more activities with their child. • More than half of parents said they regret not having more quality time with their children when they were younger. This is not an unusual observation. Here are a few suggestions to help parents:
P - You are a parent, not a buddy, and you will likely never be best friends with your child. You want to protect your child, but also be proactive and anticipate problems (sexuality, bullying, internet activity). Occasional appropriate
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punishment is reasonable with proper anticipatory warnings.
A - It is necessary to allow your child to experience life with all its adventures and adversities. Controlled risk-taking is an important part of learning. R - Reach out to your child with love
and respect. Your child needs your affection but also deserves some privacy. Boundaries are an important part of life’s activities.
E - Engage, educate, explain, and
encourage your children. They learn well when you teach by example. A good foundation will provide the child with both roots to grow and wings to fly.
N - Nourish your child with quality food, experiences, and opportunities. It is difficult to predict which of life’s many nuances will positively impact your child.
T - Your child needs your time and your
talents. You are your child’s treasure, not the stuff you give him or her. Children change quickly, and time goes by very fast. Try not to blink! Your child learns to walk only once, but it may not be too late to watch that first ball game.
Source - The American College of Pediatricians
Dr. Yates is a pediatrician at Woodstock Pediatric Medicine, 2000 Professional Way, #200, Woodstock. 770-517-0250. WoodstockPeds.com
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