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I-Heart Parent

 
 
              Every Monday morning, I look back on a weekend well spent with my kids and I usually reflect with a picture of my Em & Ems (Emmanuel and Emeli) as I call them on my facebook. I miss them so much while I'm at work, that like most working parents, I feel guilty and can't wait to be with them again. That is until about 230pm when I walk into my parent's house to pick them up, that their fighting and chaos remind me that they look cuter in the picture. A picture, where all I see is their smiles and cute faces.
      
              My daughter is not even 3 yet, and she is already set on telling me no for the simplest commands. Its never that she doesn't want to do what I'm instructing her to; It seems instead she just prefers to do things her way or feel she is control. I never thought kids so small and innocent could be so manipulative, with their little smirks and sassy attitude. However I'm learning that kids, or us as humans in general , we are prone and determined to do our will. But I've also learned, that despite popular belief that kids will be kids and they need some freedom, we as parents are responsible for teaching them there are consequences for every wrong choice they make while they are in our care to correct their choices before they are in the real world, where wrong choices can equal greater consequences that are out of our hands.
 
               The biggest thing I am learning is that disciplining your child is as a great part of loving them as is providing for them and spending time with them. And consistency is key. I am teaching them about authority, which in our house is us  as parents, and obedience which will always be a part of their life. I think if I lay a good foundation of them understanding respect for authority and obedience they will have no problem in the real world respecting laws, rules at work, or keeping their civic duties. To everything there is an order. And I'm not an angry, overly strict parent. I allow my kids choices when it comes to what they wear, what they want me to cook for dinner or even what we will do as a family on the weekend. However, there are things that are non-negotiable such as meal times, bed time, fighting amongst them, and their tone and certain words used to talk to us or others.
 

 


 
 
                    We know that no matter what we do, there is no perfect formula to raising perfect kids, but as a parent it is our responsibility to set standards, to guide them, and to ensure they know the difference between right and wrong. Be involved! The most impacting thing that has been said to me as a parent is that we only get 18 summers with our kids to make sure they are capable adults to make their decisions and step out into the real world.
 
                   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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