Parenting

Independent Study, Court Approved, Social Services Approved

"What an awesome responsibility: To shape the future by how we raise our child today."

"Hugs don't just touch skin - they touch hearts and souls"

"If you wanted to do just one great thing for your child every day, let it be reading."

"Children are unfinished adults. They have all the same ingredients but they just aren't cooked yet."

INTRODUCTION  
 
Dedication & Acknowledgements
V
Introductory Welcome
VI
 
Chapter 1: ACCENT ON GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
1
10 Factors That Shape Our Attitudes and Behaviors
2
Circles of Influence
6
Recognizing Generational “Passdowns”
9
The “Ideal Kid”
10
Genetics and Environment Combine to Frame Behavior
12
Learning Styles
13
Some Things We Need to Know About Childhood Development Issues
16
What Is “Normal” Behavior for the Pre-teen/Teen?
19
Wellness and Balance is Essential for Successful Living
22
Examining Our Hierarchy of Human Needs
25
The Relationship of Life Events to Stress
29
Tying All of These Developmental Concepts Together
31
Self-Assessment
33
 
Chapter 2: ACCENT ON BUILDING GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS
35
Precision, Congruency, and Clarity
36
Communication Loop
37
Basic Communication Viewpoints of Adult and Child
38
The Importance of Understanding Body Language (Kinesics)
39
The use of Space in Relationship to Communication (Proxemics)
42
“THE Questions” Every Parent Should Ask
44
“Thudders” – What Doesn’t Work in Verbal Communication
44
The Power of “We”
48
Other Powerful Words
48
The Emotional Mirroring Technique
49
Three-Part Assertion Sentences
50
“What Are We Going to Do About It?”
52
How Many Times?
53
Technology and Communication
54
Self-Assessment
55
 
Chapter 3: ACCENT ON SUCCESSFUL DECISIONMAKING SKILLS
57
Graduated Decisionmaking
58
At-risk Factors and Decisionmaking
59
10-Point Plan for Making Safer Decisions
61
THE Questions, again
63
Remaining Sane When Kids Make Choices
63
Making Decisions About My Own Behavior As a Parent (mentoring)
64
Self-Assessment
66
 
Chapter 4: ACCENT ON STRENGTHENING SELF-ESTEEM
68
Defi nition of Self-esteem
68
Elements of Self-esteem
69
Thoughts, Feelings, and Actions
73
Words
74
Resolving conflict
77
Self-Assessment
80
 
Chapter 5: ACCENT ON DEVELOPING A DISCIPLINE PLAN
81
Defining Discipline
81
“Time Out” – A Good Technique to Use With Young Ones
83
A Word About Spanking: “To Spank or Not to Spank?”
85
A Word About Anger
86
A Discussion About Abuse
87
What Teens Th ink of Violence and Why Kids Are Killing Kids
93
The Importance of Consistency
100
Deciding the House Rules
101
Customizing Discipline Plans
102
Specifi cally About Discipline for Pre-teens/Teens
104
Self-Assessment
108
 
Chapter 6: ACCENT ON ADDITIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: CO-PARENTING, STEP-PARENTING, TEEN PARENTING, AND GRANDPARENTING
109
Co-Parenting
110
Talking About Divorce
114
Step-Parenting
115
Teen Parenting
117
Grandparenting
118
Self-Assessment
121
 
SUMMARY: ACCENT ON PRACTICAL PARENTING PRACTICES
122
Random Thoughts
123
Resilience
123
The Importance of Literacy
124
The Importance of Financial Literacy
125
The Importance of Understanding Nutrition Basics
126
“Ten Moral Suggestions”
128
Raising Self-reliant Children
129
Dr. Leo Buscaglia
129
 
IMPORTANT RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
131
 
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
132
 
INDEX
137
 
FINAL EXAMINATION
143