A First Question ...

... for Exraordinary Parenting is this:

What are you parenting for?  What kind of person would you like your child to grow up to be?

There is no right answer to this, but think about it.  Do you want to raise children who grow to do what others tell them to do?  Who don't talk back to leaders, authority figures, and peers?  Who work hard only in order to accumulate "stuff" (as defined by George Carlin)?  "Stuff" is fine, but we do get bored with it quickly.

A second point here is this: you can't, don't, and won't determine your child's career, actions, likes/dislikes, who their friends are, etc.  But you do influence other things: whether they feel worthy of love, have a strong foundation for effectively relating to others, how hard or easy life seems, how useful and valuable integrity is, and how willing they might be to think "outside the box." 

Watch this tribute to Steve Jobs, who passed away this past week.  Where does that way of thinking and living come from?  What other qualities of human beings do you value?  Are you relating to your child in a way that nurtures growth and development in those directions?

Share with me your thoughts, questions, ideas.   Have a great week!   Marty