PARENTING: NOT AN EASY THING, BUT WHAT A BLESSING!

Let’s make it clear from the get go, I am not an expert in parenting. However, my husband and I raised three darn amazingly successful children without any parenting guide for dummies or anyone’s help. Therefore, I want to share our experience in hopes that it may help someone looking for needed support at this time. The following are some of the favorite techniques that we implemented:

1. Love, nurture and adore your children. Remember, they are here because of your love.
2. Respect them as individuals and value their opinion. Don’t judge them. Don’t expect them to do exactly what you said and agree with you 100%.
3. Provide them everything you can afford that you probably never had while you were growing up. However, each time you give them something, make sure to teach them that in life you must earn whatever you want; and that among many things, they should earn respect, love, friends, money an education and ultimately a job. 
4. Few things in life are free but when someone comes forward with a freebie, be cautious, there is always some price to pay.
5. Teach them the importance of honesty and to never cheat. 
6. Show them what happens when one decides to take the easy road in life instead of the difficult rocky road.
7. Teach them everything you know, as insignificant as you think it may be but include independence and financial management.
8. Never underestimate their abilities, dreams or goals, you may be surprised.

Last, DO NOT WASTE THIS PRECIOUS GROWING TIME NOW. No excuses accepted. Pick your fights with them; every situation is not that terribly bad. Let me tell you about an important reason to keep you motivated to spend time and be tolerant with your children now. One day, not too far ahead, they will be ready for college and the chances of coming back to live with you will be pretty slim. At that point you will understand the meaning of empty nesters and perhaps, God forbid, regretting the time you did not spend with them because you were too busy at work or elsewhere. 


Angie