Being a parent, otherwise known as how to bankrupt a person one college at a time, has truly been one of the most satisfying experiences of my life. Being the father of 4 in a blended family, I thought I would share some thought on, in my view, what makes a good parent.

What makes a good parent starts with realizing you don’t know everything and then conveying this idea to your kids. Once you’ve had this epiphany, the doors are open for you to talk to your kids in a way that really is fun and enriching. Why I say this is an epiphany is because relationships are based on connection.

Connection is based on shared experiences and beliefs. Shared experiences are created by being together which only takes place if people want to be together. Shared beliefs take place when you share enough ideas. Shared ideas happen when you have enough conversations and conversations only take place if each person can contribute with confidence that their ideas can be expressed.

If your kids feel like you only think you are always right then they have nothing to contribute so don’t want to talk to you. So by admitting that you don’t know everything makes you more approachable as a leader. So the first part of what makes a good parent is opening up your human side to your kids so that they feel more free to opening up to you.

Remember, parents of teens, your kids are only going to be kids for a very short time and then they are gone. My first two are now gone to college. Most of your relationship with your kids will be an adult to adult relationship. While not always equal, who is the leader in the relationship, trust me, solidifying this relationship pays huge dividends later as they grow. It is a lot more fun with them if you enjoy being together.

We’ll talk more in part 2 of “Getting the most out of parenting.

Sincerely,

Dr. Bocknek

The Problem Solving Expert for Parents and Families

*******

Dr. Robert Bocknek is the problem solving expert for marriage, parents and families at www.takebackthehome.com and www.keyboard-culture-parenting.com.  He can be reached at bocknek@takebackthehome.com. He is author of the “Take Back the Home course” and the “Learning how to Learn course” which can be seen at www.takebackthehome.com.

     

More on Topics: Blended Families, Blended Family, Leader, Leadership, Marriage, Parenting, What Makes A Good Parent

Tags: Blended Families, Blended Family, Leader, Leadership, Marriage, Parenting, What Makes A Good Parent

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 12:11 pm and is filed under the category Blended Families, Dr. Robert Bocknek, Family, Parenting, Parenting Tips, Teen Parenting, Teenage Parenting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.