2. Unit Four: Nurturing a Family Unit Chapter 11: Parenting Decisions

3. Focus Topic: Qualities That Make Good Parents

4. Healthy Reasons for Parenting  To extend the family to a new generation and share the future with a younger life. Continued

5. Healthy Reasons for Parenting  To enjoy the personal experience of having children.  Sharing love with a child and nurturing him or her to adulthood is important to both parents.

6. Unhealthy Reasons for Parenting  To gain the prestige of having children.  To yield to pressure from grandparents who want what their friends have. Continued

7. Unhealthy Reasons for Parenting  To show physical competence and prove the arrival of adulthood.  To gain personal power. Continued

8. Unhealthy Reasons for Parenting  To gain love.  Some parents believe that a child will bring the love and affection they need.  Others believe that a child will improve their marriage.

9. Realistic Expectations  The decision to parent should be based on realistic expectations.  What are the child’s needs?  What does it take to meet those needs?  What additional needs materialize as a child grows and develops?

10. Qualities Needed by Parents  Emotional maturity  The emotions of the parents must be a stabilizing influence in a child’s growth and development. Continued

11. Qualities Needed by Parents  Unconditional love  Parents should love their children under any circumstances. Continued

12. Qualities Needed by Parents  Flexibility  Parents must be able to change their relationship with the child as he or she grows and develops into an independent adult. Continued

13. Qualities Needed by Parents  Responsible behavior  Parents must make choices that will help a child develop fully in all areas of life.

14. Signs of Responsible Parenting  Providing mature role models. Continued

15. Signs of Responsible Parenting  Providing a nurturing environment. Continued

16. Signs of Responsible Parenting  Providing a secure environment.  Meeting a child’s needs for food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and safety. Continued

17. Signs of Responsible Parenting  Providing a stimulating environment.

18. Providing Satisfaction  One benefit of having children is they can give parents satisfaction.

19. Promoting Maturity  Another benefit of having children is they help parents mature.

20. Recognizing Human Weaknesses  A third benefit of having children is they help parents recognize their human weaknesses.

21. Enjoying Leisure Time  A fourth benefit of having children is they can help parents enjoy family leisure time.

22. Feeling Hopeful About the Future  A fifth benefit of having children is they can give parents a reason to look forward to tomorrow and beyond.

23. Focus Question How can couples tell if they are candidates for becoming good parents?