1. A CHILD TURNS YOUR WORLD UP-SIDE DOWN. The moment your child comes into the world, your life will never be the same. All priorities take a back seat to the care and welfare of this special new person. You become solely responsible for helping your child become the person she was meant to be.

1. A CHILD WRAPS HERSELF AROUND YOUR HEART AND NEVER LETS GO. A parent’s love is, by far, the strongest emotion there is. And once you fall in love, there is no way to break the spell. While other emotions may be evoked (anger, disappointment, sadness, fear) the underlying love for your child is permanently entwined around your heart.
2. A CHILD NEEDS TO KNOW THAT YOUR LOVE IS UNSHAKABLE. While you know that you will always love your child, your child may not always realize it. When you are angry, disappointed or upset with her, a child often believes that at these times she has lost your love. A child needs to be reassured that your love is unconditional, no matter what. A disapproval of a behavior is NOT equal to a loss of love.
3. A CHILD CHANGES YOU FROM PEACEFUL TO FEROCIOUS IN A HEARTBEAT. All of your beliefs about peace and non-violence immediately disappear when you hold your child in your arms. Your sense of protectiveness is so overwhelming, you realize that at the first sign of danger, you could become an angry grizzly protecting your cubs. Your solemn pledge to protect your child is greater than your belief in peace and non-violence. You realize that you would lay down your life for this child, and you will take whatever steps are necessary to make sure no harm comes to her.
4. A CHILD WILL LEARN NOT BY YOUR WORDS, BUT BY YOUR ACTIONS. You are your child’s hero. Your child will watch, listen and learn by your example. Your actions are far more powerful than your words. It is a great responsibility for you to live your life the way you want your child to live hers.
5. A CHILD NEEDS STABILITY. Your child needs to know that there is predictability and consistency in her life. Chaos, constant change or lack of routine will create a sense of anxiety and uncertainty about life.
6. A CHILD NEEDS SECURITY. At birth, your child needs to know that her basic needs will be taken care of and that the world is a safe place. As she gets older, the feelings of security will actually allow her to move out into the world with the knowledge that you will always be a safety net that she can rely upon.
7. A CHILD NEEDS ACCEPTANCE. Your child is born with certain traits, characteristics and talents that are uniquely hers. Accepting your child for who she is, will be the basis for helping your child develop a sense of confidence, competence and self-acceptance. Helping your child follow her own path, will allow your child to feel your support and acceptance.
8. A CHILD NEEDS TO BE TREATED WITH RESPECT. Your child deserves to be treated with respect. Respect conveys a sense of value and regard that all human beings deserve. Respecting your child teaches her how to respect others, and affords them the same courtesy that you show to others.
9. BEING A PARENT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT JOB YOU WILL EVER HAVE. The responsibilities of raising a child are staggering. Besides providing security, stability, tending to basic needs, and showing love, respect and acceptance, you also are charged with the task of raising your child to be a moral, responsible, kind, independent, loving, caring, educated and confident adult.

And what could be more rewarding than that?

Tags: acceptance, confident, educated, parents' love, peaceful, protecting, respect, security

This entry was posted on Friday, March 27th, 2009 at 9:18 pm and is filed under Family, Parenting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.