Family Advocacy Program offers two-minute seminar

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RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The Family Advocacy Program offers the following two-minute seminar on parenting.

Under Construction: Laying the Foundations of Successful Parenting

Parents have the greatest influence in a child's life and helping them to become
healthy and productive citizens. So how do you do this? Consider these questions:

A. What are you enjoying most about parenting? (driving all over the base for football
and soccer practice, potty training, intellectually discussing why veggies are good
for them, etc.) 

B.  What are the top three values that you want to pass on to your child to guide them
through life? (cut the lights off, don't waste heat, and "Don't embarrass
me in public.") 

C. What do you most look forward to in your relationship with your child when they
are grown? (Having them pay for dinner, going shopping together, letting them do
all of the driving on vacations)

Now for the simple secrets of raising a child: 

1. Have realistic expectations of each child as an individual. Remember the old adage: allow your child to be a child. Give responsibilities that are age appropriate. They have the rest of their lives to be an adult.

2. Establish clear rules and consequences for behavior. Children respond best when they know what is expected of them. In this way they understand that you are punishing their negative behavior and not them as a person. Don't forget to acknowledge them when they do well. They crave your approval.

3. Allow your child to make choices - it fosters good decision-making skills as they
grow into adolescence and adulthood. This helps them to be more confident
and assertive in their expression of themselves.

4. Love your child unconditionally. Love + limits and structure = your child feeling loved and secure