Books for Parents, Teachers and Kids

To A Child, Love is Spelled T-I-M-E

Because Our Children Are Watching Deluxe DVD

http://www.walkthetalk.com/because-children-watching-deluxe-p-244.html?ref=402

A short inspirational movie, produced by The WALK THE TALK Company, that’s sure to make you think, stir your soul, grab your heart, and not let go!

Starting at $19.95

Separate Useful Parenting Advice from the Not-So-Useful

Parents are constantly being bombarded with the latest advice about parenting and they receive tips from experts or other parents. This is because giving parenting advice is easy since everyone has some sort of experience on the subject. There are new parent tips, survival guides and dos and don’ts lists that are being given to parents every single day- whether they ask for it or not!

Abundance of Information Needs to Be Sifted Out

With the abundance of information available, it can be quite perplexing when it comes to sifting out what works and what does not. How are parents to know which advice to follow, and when to rely on plain old common sense? Do experts who offer parenting advice really know what it is like to be a parent in a real home?

Parents may need to try RPM3 which is a no-frills approach to parenting that has been developed over thirty years by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development or the NICHD. They have spoken to experts, parents as well as children and collected statistics, identified myths as well as tested suggestions to come with the RPM3.

For parenting advice, using RPM3 guidelines will help to separate useful information from the less useful pieces of information and advice to enable parents make their own parenting decisions, and these guidelines are not based on stories about people’s thinking about parenting, but incorporates thirty years of NICHD research to let parents know what really works.

The RPM3 Method

RPM3 stands for Responding, Preventing, Monitoring, Mentoring, and Modeling. It teaches parents to respond to the child in an appropriate manner and advises them to prevent risky behavior or problems and nip them in the bud, if possible. It also advocates monitoring the child’s contact with his or her surrounding world, and mentor the child to support as well as encourage desired behaviors as also model the parent’s own behavior to give to the child a consistent, positive example that he or she can relate to and emulate.

Nevertheless, there is still plenty of information available that provides age-appropriate parenting advice and which helps parents take care of their children. Some of the frequently mentioned topics include nutrition, safety, common problems and what to expect at the pediatrician.

Moms and Dads often need parenting advice that will help them deal with common problems such as sibling rivalry, potty training, getting the child to sleep at night as well as managing behavior problems and temper tantrums. There are many qualified experts out there that deal with such topics and who will be best suited to get parenting advice from for all manner of child rearing issues. Using the RPM3 guidelines and the different parenting advice available should help parents sift the useful from the not-so-useful advice to become sensible and loving parents.

A Parenting Plan Is a Great Help during Divorce

A parenting plan is of tremendous use as it will help in a number of ways including during divorce proceedings. Such instances make it necessary for parents to get together and draw up a plan to provide a cushion for the welfare of the children for the future. In fact, a good parenting plan could be the best gift that parents can give to their children in the event of a divorce.

Helps See through Difficult Times

Parents that have children together will be stuck, and even if the divorce is messy, and the other partner is very difficult, a parenting plan will help parents see through the difficult times with least pain especially when it comes to the children. Divorce does not mean that the parenting responsibilities are terminated, because the parents would still need to share responsibility in rearing the children.

The parenting plan should focus on helping make arrangements for the children and should be discussed with them as well as with all others that are involved. It should contain information, guidance as well as ideas, though each parenting plan will differ given that circumstances change, and so requires being adjusted to suit individual needs.

After chalking out a parenting plan, it is a good idea to make a copy of it as well as provide a copy to anyone else concerned such as grandparents and the children, if they are old enough. There may also be circumstances arising in which domestic violence ensues or there is risk of harm befalling the child which would necessitate that the parents seek legal advice to form an appropriate parenting plan for such an eventuality.

Making a parenting plan and signing it signifies that it is a statement of the parent’s intent, though it is not a legal document and is not an order of the court nor is it intended to be enforced by the court. In case the parent(s) feel that there is a need for a court order, they should seek legal help. The basic objective of such a plan is to help parents make arrangements which change with different circumstances and passage of time. So, it may require regular revisions.

In the event of dissolution, the parent will have to have details of the parenting plan completely worked out and agreed to before filing the parental plan. Most often, the parenting plan is filed shortly before the trial or settlement conference and may form a part of the settlement or pre-order brief. Also, some courts stipulate that the custody and visitation or parenting plan be in a specific form while others do not. It is thus necessary to check with the local court to ascertain exact requirements.

Parenting Tips for the New Parent

The most important function an individual may have in life is often the one function least prepared for.  Parenting is the hardest job a person may ever have.  The most training people receive for this job is simply the experience of being raised by their own parents.

There are some courses for parenting in high school and college but these are limited in their curriculum.  Some high schools have a course where the students are required to carry around an egg for several days to provide parenting tips of what having an infant to care for is like.  But if caring for an infant simply entailed preventing the shell from being cracked while performing life’s daily activities, parenting would be a lot easier.  Becoming a parent is the hardest thing to prepare for.  Each child is an individual and will require different love and nurturing than any other child.

The most basic parenting tip for the new parent is ‘Do not panic’.  This may seem humorous but is actually quite a practical parenting tip.  Babies respond to the environment and attitude around them.  As a parent, remaining relaxed and calm will help the infant to be relaxed and calm.  This can be hard to do as a new parent but must be achieved to keep the home more peaceful for everyone.

It is good if the new parent can have help, for a short time, from an older experienced parent who is calm and self-assured.  Most of the time, one of the grandmothers of the infant will stay with the family to offer parenting tips and support.  New parents need to be ready to accept this help.  If the grandparents are not available, other support can be found from a neighbor or perhaps an older person in ones church.  Some hospitals may have a list of volunteer “grandparents” that will help new parents.

Parenting Tips for the Future

The most important parenting tip for the lifetime of the parent is to realize that the child is going to make mistakes.  This is easily said but often harder to deal with in reality.  Being a parent is about helping the child avoid the most dangerous mistakes and handling failures and successes.  This begins with teaching a child the stove is hot and continues into their adulthood with career and family decisions.  Many small children, after told the stove is hot, will reach up and touch it.  As a parent, be ready with cold water for the burn and then reinforce the teaching.

A parent shouldn’t berate the child for doing what is a natural response.  A parent just needs to begin to teach the child that a parent has instruction which is valid for life.  This experience may help the child to realize that when given instruction about more dangerous things such as drugs, alcohol, and premarital sex the instruction is probably worth listening to.  No one enjoys a burnt finger and the child will want to prevent further pain.

Finding Answers to Tough Parenting Questions

If you are a parent in the 21st century, it is not possible to stay unaffected about sex education and your children. There is a lot of sex and sex related material and scenes that the child is constantly exposed to from a very tender age.  Sooner or later, he or she becomes curious and seeks answers to questions relating sex, their own existence and the correlation of animals’ birth rituals and their own.

A Critical Parenting Question – Talking about Sex

This is one parenting question that has bothered parents from time immemorial. This is because when you try to explain how children are made, you know that the child will conjure a picture of you and your partner having sex. However, it is true that sex-education should be imparted to the children from a very tender age. What exactly should that tender age be is a controversial parenting question, but some think it should start as early as the child is aware about his body parts.

Sex education is not always about sex. It is, in most cases, about bringing about awareness that the body is sacred and that it totally belongs to the child. Once this basic concept is instilled, then sex education has a solid platform/ foundation to build upon. As the child grows, the function of each part of the body should be explained in simple terms. The aim of this exercise should be to make the child comfortable with the parts of the body and internalize that there is no such thing as ‘shameful parts’.

You will find that the most common parenting question here is on how to teach the child about the right and wrong touch. This is one parenting question, which is indeed critical to answer. Research says that children are born with an alarm that usually goes off when things begin to go wrong. What parents should teach their child is to listen to that alarm, and take immediate action when it goes off.

Children are basically shy and respectful of adults. Hence, unless so taught, they might not raise an alarm even when they feel there is something very wrong in the way they are handled. By letting them know that it is not only okay to talk to your parents about anything, it is highly recommended and something that will make their parents be able to ward off the danger and keep them safe.

How to Make Single Parenting a Little Easier

Single parents are parents that care for their children without assistance from others in the home, though legal definitions may vary according to local laws of different states. Single parenting may be a result of different factors, though often it is an option taken by the parent as in the case of adoption, artificial insemination, surrogate motherhood or pre-marital pregnancy.

A Big Challenge

Single parenting can often be very challenging and single parents as well as their children often face stigma, violence and social problems. In addition, children of single parents often need to take on more responsibilities that also include looking after themselves. Also, single parenting means discussing things with the children such as financial or family decisions, which in other families, are only discussed among parents.

Often, single parenting is a result of it being the best or only option and despite media hype; it need not always be bad news. It requires sorting out the difficult issues of money, childcare as well as the relationship that the single parent is in with the other parent of the child. Single parenting, contrary to popular opinion, is often a joy as it brings the parent closer to the child as well as gives more control to parent the child according to one parent’s vision.

Nevertheless, single parenting involves understanding the other parent’s legal and financial responsibilities, clarifying custody as well as visitation rights, and in this regard, it pays to have the roles clearly defined legally so as to protect the child better. The single parent should also clarify his or her needs for support and should not be afraid to ask for help.

Single parenting also means setting up daily rituals and regular routines and being consistent and dependable. To make single parenting easier, it is necessary to forgive the other parent and not hold any grudge against one who is absent. Not having a lot of money need not be a big drawback as there is always the child close at hand; and material comforts and monetary wealth are but poor substitutes for the love and time that single parenting affords while taking care of the child. Single parenting also means giving as much time and devotion as is reasonably possible without setting impossible goals. Also, families do not need to be only biological, because the single parent can and should surround himself and the child with friends that are trustworthy and who care about both of you.

It is also necessary to take responsibility for your own life by realizing that you are solely responsible for an innocent life too. It means not letting the child down or holding him accountable for the actions over which he never had any control.

Parenting Toddlers – Terrible Twos and Troublesome Threes!

Parenting toddlers can be very exhausting as well as enjoyable. If you are parenting toddlers, you should have stamina and lots of patience. Your little bundle of joy could be very energetic at times and since he or she is still a bit of a baby, you may need to carry him or her around every now and then. Mind you, toddlers can be heavy and they can be very demanding when it comes to being carried around in your arms all day.

Toddlers are very cute but they are also very challenging to manage. Parenting toddlers would mean you will have to constantly be on your toes and watch out for everything. From the time your child starts to stand up and take a few steps, you ill need to keep track of your child. Toddlers are very curious and they like to explore. If you do not watch out, your kid may pick up something and put it is his or her mouth or tumble down the stairs.

Parenting toddlers would require you to be very vigilant and very creative. Since your toddler would mostly likely want to taste anything that attracts his or her attention, you should make sure that you childproof your home. Remove all things that may cause harm to your toddler. Furthermore, since your toddler would not really like it much if you confine him or her in a small corner of the home, you should make sure that he or she has enough space to play around without really letting him or her have access to something that could be potentially dangerous.

Creating a Play Area for Your Toddler

Parenting toddlers while working at home can really be very challenging. If you are working at home and you would like to get something done, you should see to it that you get a play pen or activity gym for your toddler. You don’t really need to buy those pricey gizmos in department stores; all you need is a space where your toddler can keep himself or herself busy. Make sure that the play area is well cushioned so that your toddler will not hurt himself in case he falls. Furthermore, see to it that the play area is securely fenced so that you toddler will not be able to get out, wreck the house and hurt himself.

Practical Advice for Parenting Teenagers

Parenting teenagers is full of extremes.  There are great joys while parenting teenagers and also great disappointments.  The teen years are a time when the child is slowly separating themselves from their parent’s tight hold and parents need to realize this.  Each child needs to gradually be weaned off the total parental control into a world of adulthood.  This can be a difficult experience but also an exciting one.   As a parent, one has been working to prepare his child for adulthood and now the goal is about to be achieved.  A parent needs to celebrate the teenagers step towards independence while continuing to provide a safety net.

Preparing for Parenting a Teenager

As a child begins to celebrate double digit birthdays the parent must begin preparing for parenting a teenager.  One thing that can help to make the future easier is to find interests for the child to be involved in.  Some children are very sports motivated; being involved in team sports is a great experience for the teenager and will help to keep the child involved in wholesome activities.  The parent needs to be involved with this area of the child’s life.  Attending the games and showing interest will be very important.

Another great thing for the child to get involved in is a church youth group.  Teenagers will have questions regarding their spiritual life.  Having a well founded spiritual leader and group outside the home will help both the parent and the teenager throughout the teen years.  There are other appropriate activities for the teen years.  These include scouting, choir, band, dance, gymnastics, fishing, camping and many other activities.  Parents need to get involved with their child in some activity before the teen years begin.  This will keep the teenager involved in good activities as they begin to pull away from the parents.

A Team Approach to Parenting Teenagers

In a two parent family it will be important for the parents to be united in their approach to parenting a teenager.  Parents need to plan and discuss the expectations for the teenager. Even if there are areas of disagreement between the parents, the teenager needs to see a united front.  If the teenager see the parents in open disagreement this may cause confusion and rebellion.  Parents need to work together for the benefit of the teenager.

If the parents are separated or divorced, differences need to be put aside for the benefit of the child.  The world offers too many options for teenagers today.  The parents must be united in the morals, values, and attitudes they want the teenager to uphold.  Most teenagers will still rebel somewhat but this can prevent major rebellion.  If the home is a single parent home, without the support of a second parent, the single parent should seek the support of a grandparent or other relative or friend.  It is good to have someone supporting the very important decisions which need to be made while parenting a teenager.

What Type of Parenting Method Do You Like?

Parenting is a great word – one that evokes both immense joy and fear. You cannot feel the joy without having foreboding thoughts about whether you would be able to handle the huge responsibility that God has entrusted you with. Can I be a good parent? This is one of the questions on the top of every parent’s head; no matter how self-assured they look.

What Parenting Method Is the Best?

There are four major types of parenting, i.e. (i) uninvolved, (ii) indulgent, (iii) authoritarian and (iv) authoritative. Though some of these parenting methods can be learnt and absorbed, it usually happens naturally – depending upon the innate nature with which the parent is born. Before we learn and decide which one of these parenting methods is the best, let us understand each one of them.

Uninvolved Parent

This parenting method is usually reflected when the parent(s) do not really bother about what is going on in the life of the child. They provide the minimum necessities and do not bother about the psychological needs of the child. This type of parent has neither any demands nor response. The child is an incidental thing in the house.

Indulgent Parent

These types of parents are always there ready to do anything the child wants even before they ask for something. They take joy from being there all the time and have very few demands if any on the child. Here you will find two divisions – there are parents who like to consider their children as their friends and allow them liberties as they grow, and the other type, which allows the child to do as he/she pleases in the belief, that at the right time they will grow out of it and become responsible adults.

Authoritarian Parent

This type of parent is dictatorial. The child has no rights, no capacity to think what is right or wrong for him and hence, all the decisions need to be taken by the parent. Further, the child should unflinchingly obey all the rules that they impose.  In this type too, there are two divisions, i.e. parents that recognize and accept certain boundaries that the child erects with age; and the other is who is overly intrusive and demanding.

Authoritative Parent

This is the most accepted parenting method. It involves being both demanding and responsive at the same time, which  in turn keeps the parent in constant touch with the feelings, ambitions, fears and hopes of the child. This type of parent is like a rock in the child’s life and at the same time is capable of instilling in him the core values of life.

Now, look at each of these descriptions and find out which type you are currently and which areas you want to improve in.

Three Parenting Issues that Affect Young Working Parents

Young parents are usually beset with so many problems when it comes to rearing and caring for their children. Because of the ever-increasing cost of living in the country, both parents now need to earn a living to keep the family well provided for. Since both parents now have careers outside of the home, there are many parenting issues that these parents need to consider and resolve.

Getting a Babysitter

One of the biggest parenting issues that beset young parents nowadays is the care of their baby while they go to work. It is a constant struggle for young parents to leave their baby at the babysitters while they go to work. Young mothers are especially very reluctant to leave their babies in a new place. If you are one of those mothers who find it very uncomfortable to leave your baby alone in the house with the babysitter, you might want to consider working from home.

Breastfeeding Your Baby

Although lot of women would want to breastfeed their babies, there are still many young mothers who rely on infant formula. Even through there are already so many government programs that encourage breastfeeding; breastfeeding is still one of parenting issues that affects young parents. Sometimes, even if the mother is very inclined to breastfeed her baby, she may not be able to do so because she works outside of the home and may be inaccessible to the baby.

Child’s Diet

The diet of the children is one of the most pressing parenting issues for working parents. Working parents are always in a hurry to get to work and often do not have enough time to prepare a healthy meal. Unfortunately, according to studies, children who eat unhealthy meals often do not develop their immune system well and are more prone to diseases. If you are one of those parents who have parenting issues with regard to the diet of your children, you should start paying attention to what nutrition experts have to say.

Although you may feel so pressed for time, you should not make your being busy an excuse not to give you children healthy food.  According to experts, if you really cannot cook healthy meals everyday, you should try to cook enough good food for a few meals and put it is the refrigerator so that you can just re-heat it later. When storing food in the refrigerator, make sure that you seal the food properly to preserve its freshness.

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