Raising Children 101

I feel America needs a refresher course in the raising of their children.  Since common sense has gone out the window, I'm going to attempt to fish it out of the gutter and back into everyone's mind.  It's sad to think of the many abortions that happen everyday.  It's sad to think of the women that didn't have abortions, but still don't supply the basic necessities to their children.  Perhaps there is a fantasy that exists in one's mind about how you want to raise your child, then realize it would take a lot of money you don't have to make that a reality.  All I know is, there seems to be an anger that exists in parents that is taken out on their children.  So here are some simple reminders of all that children really need.

Patience.  They need you to be patient with them.  If you are disciplining them, don't be harsh.  If they are doing something wrong, look at the way you're teaching them, don't think they are stupid for not understanding.

Time.  In order to teach children, you need some uninterrupted time with them everyday.  If this seems hard for you, set a timer.

Distraction.  Children do not need fancy toys.  They have an imagination already built in. Old pots and pans, wooden spoons, cardboard boxes, safe items that you don't use. You can make playdough with food coloring, hot water, salt, and flour.  Don't stress that your children don't have the biggest and best toys.  They would pick free time with you anyday rather than a new toy. 

Nourishment.  This needs to be said because of stories of parents that punish their children by starving them.  Never withhold food from children as a punishment.  There is something called "time out" that actually works.  You don't have to be stressed over the marketing of children tv dinners, cereal, etc.  It's very inexpensive to make simple food yourself that will taste better anyway.  Also, breastfeeding does not cost you a cent, whereas formula is very pricey.  Think about it. 

Compassion.  Children need to be taught how to be fully functioning adults. Think of them like a blank canvass.  By being gentle with them, you are painting a beatiful portrait.  If you fill their mind with your loud-mouth yelling and cover their bodies with bruises from your short-tempered hand, you have painted a canvass that sticks out like a sore thumb of what a horrible human being you are. 

Love.  Soften your heart when your child looks at you adoringly.  Soften your heart when they make a mistake and look to you for help.  You are all they have in a heartless world.  Even child victims of abuse don't want to leave their parents when they are taken away to somewhere safer.  How much more will your child appreciate you for their entire life, just from you taking a few years away from your full-time pursuits in order to teach them how to be a human being.  When you have love, the rest falls into place.