One of my favorite authors, while studying for my psychology degree, was Dr. Gary Collins In one of his text books, he lists eight rules that were passed on to him for child rearing.  These rules are timeless and may help in your role as parent.

•  "Accept the fact that being a parent is one of the most important tasks you will ever undertake and budget your time and energy accordingly."
  It's true.  There is no greater calling than growing a human being. What a shame there are no courses, or at least none that I know of, that teach you how to do this.  I know there are some schools that have students take a life-like doll home to deal with during the time of the course at school. But there is physical, moral, financial, spiritual teaching to be administered during the course of a child growing up.  What a responsibility! "Think long and hard about the particular parental role you have to play now."
  Each day is important in the life of a child. Whether the child is crib size, a toddler, a teenager or an adult, they are learning. There are many, many books by experts on the subjects of child rearing if you need help. The thing is to recognize  when you
  need help and to ask for it.  Your child is at stake!
  
  
• "Don't regard your child as an extension of yourself."
  Was there something in your life that you longed to do or be and it never happened? Don't drop it in your child's life. We are all individuals that have our own thoughts and ambitions about life. Besides, is it too late to lock up your dreams or whatever it is you missed the first time around?  You have to be quite old for age to make a difference these days.
  
  
• "Enjoy your children."
  Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!  You never know what the future holds.  Don't wait for the perfect afternoon to enjoy the zoo, the library, an ice cream cone.  Enjoy the moment. Who knows about the next one. (Read My Little Boy, The Man under The Sanctuary
  segment.)
  
  
• "Love and believe in them."
  Never, never love your child with conditional love.  That very thing is a cause of many, problems  today.  Children need to know no matter  what, they have someone that loves them and will forever. This builds strong children that will be better equipped to handle life. As for believing in them, if anyone needs encouragement, it is a child who is trying to figure out who they are, if they are o.k. and if they are getting it right.  Words like "I believe in you" or "I know you can do it" can change the life of a little one.
  
  
• "Expect something of your children."
  Modeling is the best way to be a parent.  If you let a child know that you expect certain things of yourself,  such as being a good parent, respecting people, honoring your word, it won't be hard for them to understand that you have high standards and  you expect the same from them. Go further, and let them know you are proud of the decisions they make or are going to make and  that you trust them.  Then do just that. Trust them until they prove to you that you can't.  Have a positive relationship with your children.  Good home life makes children want to have the same in their home as they go out to establish their own life.
   

• "Be honest."

  In a world  where honesty seems to be of little importance, be different and instill how important it is to be known for telling the truth. This is best taught by living it yourself.
  
  
• "Let them go. We do not own our children. In the end, the best we can do for them is to free them into the hands of God."
  Do you know a mom or dad who will not let go of their grown child, even though they are well passed the age for Mom and Dad to make their decisions.  Does that describe your relationship with your son or daughter?  If so, work on this through guidance from someone you trust, clergy, or professional counselling.  It is important that we give our children wings as well as roots. It takes a lot of faith.  That's why God was a big part of my parenting years. 
  
  
            

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