Reminiscing on when my children were small, I think back and say life was so much easier. I did not realize it until my kids became teenagers. I’ve conquered and embraced every moment of parenting. There are many different stages that children evolve into. As child grow the parents should grow as well. As a young mother I spent much of my time focused on the wrong things and I should have been focused more on things to help my children develop. A young mother may not proprely perpare for what parenting should entail. We need to think about the things we want to introduce to our children before they are here. Some things to think about are:
- Daycare (if needed)
- Schools (preschool on up)
- Traditions
- Morals and values
- Family history
- Introduction to Christ
These are just a few examples of what a new mother should be thinking about when bringing a child into the world. I was in high school when my daughter was born. One of my major concerns was graduating from high school. With my son I was attending Junior college and I dropped out. I wanted to ensure I could provide financially for 2 kids at the age of 21. I missed my baby bonding moments because I was focused on making ends meet and still very young in the mind. Much of my “me time” I wanted to be young a free and hang out with friends.
Do young parents really understand all it requires to parent a child and bring out their full potential? This can be difficult especially if the mother is still learning who she is. As a young adult parenting may not be a big struggle if she is knowledgeable on what is ahead of her. The teen parent will have to rely on the family for much of the child’s developing years. The focus for the parent or the family that is assisting will be:
- Bills
- Food
- Childcare
- Working
- Household responsibilities (cooking, cleaning etc.)
When is the parent bonding with the child and making memories? Teaching the child important things, such as sharing, respect, love, things to help prepare for school, and other traditions you may want them to know. I have witnessed parents say, “I have to put my child in daycare to teach him or her how to share.” Or, “I need my child in school to teach my child how to read.” Well what we must remember as parents we are the children first teachers. What they learn will start at home. My list above is just some example of getting ready to raise young children. The early ages are the most impressionable. Starting as an infant is when the developing of cognitive, motor, and speech development will start. We also should be teaching our children social and emotional skills. As we are raising our children, teaching them important lessons for life and helping mold their personalities. Before children reach school age, parents should be reading, and teaching your child things to help prepare them. We have all seen children who can often get carried away with themselves and act out in way that we may not approve of. As I have observed these things, I think the parent who may not have taking the extra time to use words to teach their child small mannerism. Such as, “can you clean up please” or, “thank you for helping me with the groceries”. While your child is helping the groceries, little things can show them you care about what is going on in their world. You can ask them how was school? Or you wanted me to hear a song you learned. These are some memories while they are learning. Right before dinner taking a few moments to sit with the child and read a book or help with homework. These are all things that can help with their development.
Remember if you are a young parent and have a child it is never too late to start making memories, or even changing behaviors.
If you are pregnant start thinking about what you want to teach your child. How will you prepare them for this world? Write down things you want to teach the child, and get a schedule on how to make time,
Parenting Tip: Do not let YouTube, iPad, Tablets raise your children.
The New Statistic 