In looking at what makes a good parent there are some key points. The first of which is that you don’t have to be perfect, the smartest, or always right. What you do have to do to be a good parent is be a leader in your own home.

What makes a good parent, and by proxy a good leader, is to take a stance for your kids. Be a place that they can draw from for stability, safety and love. That being said, a crucial part of what makes a good parent is letting them know you are human. What this means is you will make mistakes with them and in your own life. It is important that you know that and that they know that. Furthermore, it is important that they know you know that.

What is important about the last statement?

Werner Earhardt, from the old EST and Forum days, used to talk about in order to learn you have to realize that you don’t know something. Then you can go and study it. He went further to talk about most problems and misunderstanding happen when you don’t know that you don’t know something.

In regards to what makes a good parent, if your kids think that you don’t know when you are right or wrong, you probably won’t know when they are right or wrong either. They will then sometimes come to the conclusion that you don’t understand them and hence not be willing to listen to you. The point, then, is to be honest not just with them but with yourself about when you don’t know the answer.

In part two of what makes a good parent we will talk about how to deal with your kids when you don’t have the answer.

Sincerely,

Dr. Bocknek

The Problem Solving Expert for Parents and Families

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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.

     

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