If you're a parent, you get plenty of suggestions on how to raise your child.
From experts to other parents, people are always ready to offer advice.
Parenting tips, parents' survival guides, dos, don'ts, shoulds and shouldn'ts - new ones come out daily.
The truth is there is more than one "right" way to be a good parent. Good parenting includes :
- Keeping your child safe
- Showing affection and listening to your child
- Providing order and consistency
- Setting and enforcing limits
- Spending time with your child
- Monitoring your child's friendships and activities
- Leading by example
Being a parent can be a joy, but it's also a tough job.
No parent is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. Even loving parents sometimes do things they don't mean to do, such as yell at a child or call a child a bad name.
But if you think you're having trouble controlling yourself, get help so a pattern of abuse doesn't start.
Yes, all parents get frustrated. Children take a lot of time and energy.
Parenting is even harder when you have problems in your own life, such as worries about your job, your bills or your relationships, or problems with alcohol or drugs.
To be a good parent, you have to first take care of yourself. That means getting help for your problems.
Everyone needs a break from being a parent once in a while.
If you have another adult in your family, take turns getting away.
For example, have your partner stay with the children so you can visit friends. Take turns sleeping late on the weekends.
If you're a single parent, ask friends and relatives to help by running some errands for you or watching your child while you go out.
It's okay to feel angry, but it's not okay to take it out on your children.
When you're really angry, take a break. For example, take your children for a walk or call a friend to come help you.
If you feel angry with your child almost every day or have trouble controlling your temper, get some help by talking to your family doctor. He or she can offer advice and provide resources to help you.
