Parenting Goals

Of all the parenting specialists and just naturally awesome parents I've stalked, these seem to be overall similarities.

1. REWARD POSITIVE BEHAVIOR ABUNDANTLY AND CONSISTENTLY-

it will become like a full-time job, have lots of ideas in mind (If u r planning on the pool- don't tell them until you see great behavior, then brag about how impressed you are and want to surprise them); discover their love language and use it to your advantage here

2. ZERO (I REPEAT, ZERO) TOLERANCE ON DISOBEDIENCE OR DISRESPECT-

if they are old enough to know better, find memorable consequences and continue to repeat until the behavior stops (could be days... you just have to win each and every battle- again a full-time job); you don't need to scream or even get upset, but if they don't cry or become upset by your consequence, they will likely forget it and repeat same offense before you have time to come up with another one, which could be something you weren't looking forward to anyways ("Oh no, now we can't go to pool!"); please try to break habits of coaching, threatening, repeating, warning, bribing, questioning, and bargaining- which tend to give the child authority; avoid giving instructions that you don’t intend for them to obey immediately and you aren't willing to give a consequence for disobeying ☆Hebrews 12:11- No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

3. FIND AT LEAST 5 MINUTES EACH DAY TO SNUGGLE/CHAT/PRAY TOGETHER-

we usually play high-low to discuss things on their heart and offer suggestions and empathy; discuss that you are so tough on them because you love them, know they are capable of more, and you want them to succeed in life; ensure they understand that while you do not love their misbehavior, there is NOTHING they can do to affect how much you love them; have at least one date a month written on the calendar and let them hear you deny other plans because of your very important date

4. MAKE IT OBVIOUS THAT GOD IS THE CENTER OF YOUR HOUSE AND DECISIONS, YOUR MARRIAGE IS A PRIORITY, AND YOU DON'T LIVE IN A CHILD - CENTERED HOME-

explain that obeying us will set them up to easily obey God, having security in these will give them more confidence and less entitlement

5. REMEMBER THAT NOT ENOUGH QUALITY SLEEP AND/OR TOO MUCH SUGAR WILL AFFECT THEIR BEHAVIOR-

I've even noticed differences after crackers and yogurt! :weary:

To learn more in details about parenting goals visit the site fbimomma.com