To Learn Benevolence

Benevolence -- an act of kindness, something good that is done.

Parenting our children is about teaching them not just their ABC's and 123's. It encompasses learning about their world, family, friends, places, things. Preparing them for their independent journey through Life.

Parents lead by example. If you are a good role model then your children will see and feel the effects and compare to "kid Jones" family life, down the hall. We are guilty of imposing our will on our children to a certain degree. Others will impose so harshly, their child has no or very little, personality of their own.

Adults tend to neglect their children in the pursuit of money, paying bills, personal time, addictions, keeping up with the Jones's. Neglect is defined as failure to provide one of the ingredients for opportunity to develop into a intellectually, physically, emotionally and psychologically healthy person and is considered Child Abuse. Neglect sets a foundation for behavior problems with the child.

The time spent with a child(ren) in activities such as sharing popcorn watching Wall-E or other age appropriate movies, board games, hiking, biking, swimming, boating and lots of other activities, enriches the child's mind and life experiences. With all these activities a verbal rapport of some sort will always be going on. Your child learns to trust and listen to what you have to say.

Displaying your affection with hugs, tickling and appropriate tousles encourages a attachment to the parent both physical and emotional. It is the existence of this bond that a parent is most able to teach their child about learning to give and share with others.

Giving a bowl of food to pass around to guests encourages learning to become a good host and/or hostess. Setting up cups, carafe of hot chocolate or apple cider for friends, family or just with mom or dad, can teach a ritual. My sons and I drink tea in the evenings during winter and will take turns making a pot and be talking throughout the time together.

Sit together and talk about what should be important in Life. Is it material things and a good job or a good job and over all happiness for your child? what you decide to teach your child can have profound and life long consequences. Whether it be good or bad will be up to the parent.

The power a parent is given by their child is a gift not to be scoffed, abused or tossed. We are given the opportunity to bestow our knowledge, skills and wisdom upon this child. As long as the method does not betray that trust ... that child will walk through Life remembering the best of your lessons and times together, like a Bible.