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Parenting: A Rewarding Choice Chapter 1

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Key Terms parent parenting role parenthood nurturance realistic expectations unconditional love dedication flexibility myth moral development morals structure ethnic groups cultural traditions ethnic identity heritage diversity stress

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Objective Contrast the terms parent, parenting, and parenthood.

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Parent The term parent applies to –the mother and father responsible for their child’s birth –the actions of a mother and a father in caring for and raising a child –other people who care for a child by serving the role of mother or father, such as adoptive parents and foster parents

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Parenting Parenting involves –meeting the child’s needs to age 18 or sometimes longer –guiding a child toward the goal of becoming a competent adult

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Parenthood Parenthood is a highly valued role that comes with rights and responsibilities These rights and responsibilities allow parents to make decisions about raising children

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. In Your Opinion What is one thing that a parent has done to guide you toward the goal of becoming a competent adult? –What was their role in this process? –What was your role? What kinds of challenges do you think parenting poses?

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Objective Describe the personal qualities and knowledge needed for effective parenting.

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. The Job Description Parenting is a series of related jobs and work experiences (often called a career) Qualifications include –individual’s personal qualities –knowledge of the subject –past experience

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Personal Qualities Personal qualities are part of the special maturity needed for parenting

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Nurturance Nurturance means to love, teach, and guide children Being a nurturing parent involves –having realistic expectations –giving unconditional love

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Dedication Dedication is being devoted to a new role With parenting, dedication means –having a 24-hour-a-day, everyday job –seeing that the child’s needs are met

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Flexibility Parents need flexibility to survive the many challenges they face Being a flexible parent requires parents to –adapt to children’s phases as they grow and develop –adjust their own schedules due to the child’s activities or needs

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Knowledge and Experience Babies do not come with instructions, yet reliable information can be found everywhere The best knowledge comes from experiences working with children and learning from experienced teachers or parents

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. In Your Opinion List three facts you know about caring for an infant or a young child. –How do you know these facts? –Why do you consider them facts?

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Objective Recognize popular myths about parenthood.

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Parenting Myths and Realities Myths about parenting come from several sources: –Family culture and traditions –Society –Experts that disagree or do not have all the facts continued

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Parenting Myths and Realities Myth #1: –All parenting skills are instinctive Facts: –No one is born with all the preparation needed to be an effective parent –Many parenting skills must be learned through gaining knowledge and experience continued

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Parenting Myths and Realities Myth #2: –A mature adult can be a perfect parent Facts: –Humans are not perfect, so no one can be a perfect parent –Mature adults should strive to become competent parents, not perfect parents continued

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Parenting Myths and Realities Myth #3: –Good parenting guarantees “good” children Facts: –This myth is based on the idea that personality is completely formed in the early years –Influences outside the family, such as peers, adults other than parents, and media, affect children in healthy or unhealthy ways continued

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Parenting Myths and Realities Myth #4: –Parenting is always fun Facts: –Like any other job, parenting can be fun, sad, exciting, boring, satisfying, and frustrating –Adults should have realistic expectations about parenting continued

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Parenting Myths and Realities Myth #5: –Children are always cute and sweet Facts: –Babies may be cute and sweet, but they also scream and cry –Toddlers can be extremely stubborn –While children can be adorable, parents should be prepared to accept reality

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. In Your Opinion Parents who look forward to all the stages of growth are more prepared for the realities of parenting. What are some ways that parents can prepare themselves for the reality of parenting –infants and toddlers? –school-age children and teenagers?

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Objective Relate the overall job responsibilities of parents to the parenting needs of children.

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. The Responsibilities of Parenting Just like most jobs, parenting –is complicated –has basic requirements in caring for children –involves complex tasks in figuring out the best way to help children

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Wanting and Being Ready for Children People should think carefully about whether they really want children and are ready to be parents They should also recognize when it is not the right time to start or add to a family

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Fulfilling Legal Responsibilities Parents have a legal responsibility to support and supervise children Parents support children by providing life necessities (food, clothing, shelter), medical care, and education Parents supervise and control children’s behavior

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Fulfilling Legal Rights Parents have corresponding rights to make decisions about their children’s lives A parent’s legal responsibility continues until the child reaches the age of majority –This is the age, usually 18, when a person is considered an adult by the legal system continued

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Fulfilling Legal Rights Examples of corresponding rights include –determine where children will live, what medical care they will be given, and which school they will attend –control children as they see fit as long as they do not neglect or abuse children or ask them to do something illegal Note: Courts may intervene on behalf of children if parents abuse their rights

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Meeting Children’s Needs Parents can meet children’s needs by –providing unconditional love –meeting their physical needs –promoting intellectual, emotional, and social development –teaching them to behave in acceptable ways and promoting their moral development –teaching them to be culturally aware

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Unconditional Love If children know they are loved for who they are and for their own special qualities, they are likely to be self-confident and secure

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Physical Needs Abraham Maslow, a psychologist, felt that a person’s physical needs must be met before any other needs Examples of physical needs include –food –clothing –shelter –water

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Intellectual, Emotional, and Social Needs Intellectual learning can be promoted in and outside the home by parents or other caregivers and teachers Showing love to children and responding to their needs facilitates emotional development Interactions help children of all ages learn to share, communicate, and compromise

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Need for Moral Development Parents can help children behave in ways that are socially acceptable by –teaching children morals –providing structure and guidance

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Heritage and Culture Awareness Needs As children learn about their own ethnic group, cultural traditions, ethnic identity, and heritage, they develop pride in their family Children learn diversity and gain an appreciation of other cultures when their parents and caregivers teach them about the customs and beliefs of other cultures

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Maintaining Good Health Parents need to take care of themselves in order to take good care of their children Taking care of themselves may include –following a balanced diet –getting regular exercise –getting plenty of sleep –interacting with others –coping with stress

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. In Your Opinion Name three ways parents can cope with the stress of parenting.

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Objective Summarize the rewards of parenting.

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. The Rewards of Parenting Examples of rewards and feelings that parents have include –a wide variety of emotions –new or deeper emotions –a sense of satisfaction in children –the reward of constant adventure

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. In Your Opinion How does a person know if he or she is ready to be a competent parent? What are some parenting challenges that would be specific to a person who had a child before he or she was ready?

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Is Parenting Rewarding? The highest reward for a man’s toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it. ~ John Ruskin