Are Parents Trying Too Hard?

One of the implications of the current trend toward smaller families is that we now have a generation of parents who are willing to go to enormous lengths to give their children a good start in life.

In the rush to ensure that children have a maximum amount of experiences many parents ferry children from one lesson to another after school and on weekends. This busyness of life takes its toll on children and on families as homes are required to run like clockwork and meals are thrown down between lessons. "To hell with shared mealtime I have to pick up little Jessica from tennis lessons and drop her off at ballet classes" is the mantra of many modern parents.

The self-improvement industry for children is currently thriving, with a staggering variety of programs on offer to children from as young as three. Ballet classes, music lessons, and toddler gymnastics ? the lessons go on. Don't worry if your children become stressed attending all these lessons. There are stress management classes available to help them relax and unwind. We pay quite a price for keeping our kids busy for the sake of getting a winning edge!

Parents are well versed in the knowledge that early childhood is an important developmental stage for children. Positive early experiences influence how a child see him or herself and, as teachers know, assist greatly with the learning process once they start school. But parents need to be careful not to confuse an early start with a good start and place too much pressure on children at a young age. Pull back rather than push ahead is a message we need to send to the parents of today's pressure-cooker kids.

It also seems that many parents are in danger of becoming redundant as they are outsourcing much of their parenting to experts. Parents need to have a little faith that the time that they spend with young children is actually beneficial in giving them the good start in life that they are looking for. The recent trend for primary aged children to have a personal trainer (I kid you not!) to ensure they stay fit and healthy is an example of parents taking this outsourcing too far. It seems that it would be more beneficial for the whole family to adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle, than hire a trainer to give kids a workout.

So why does the move to smaller families place pressure on parents and children? Parenting is something that is learned from experience. With families reducing in size the pressure is on for parents to get their parenting right from the start ? there is little opportunity to grow into the job.

It is timely to remember that a good start for children involves plenty of positive adult attention and regard, consistency of approach, the development of the skills to look after themselves, and the wherewithal to help others. These are all things that parents are well qualified to do.

Michael Grose is Australia's leading parenting educator. He is the author of six books and gives over 100 presentations a year and appears regularly on television, radio and in print.

For further ideas to help you raise happy children and resilient teenagers visit http://www.parentingideas.com.au . While you are there subscribe to Happy Kids newsletter and receive a free report Seven ways to beat sibling rivalry.

Co-parenting arrangement worries new man in her life
Dallas Morning News, TX - 7 hours ago
Blurred boundaries between divorced parents can be confusing for their children. The child's perception can easily shift to the reason Mommy and Daddy ...

High school kids to receive lessons on parenting in health class
Texas Cable News, TX - 8 hours ago
The mandate says schools must include instructions on parenting in health classes. The lessons will include child support, relationship skills, ...
Friends, family gather to remember Jacomini family Texas Cable News
all 11 news articles

Center to offer free parenting program
Lexington Dispatch, NC - 5 minutes ago
The Fairgrove Family Resource Center will offer a highly interactive weekly program called “Parenting Wisely” beginning Sept. 4. The eight weekly sessions ...

Real parenting is about setting firm boundaries
The Times, South Africa - Aug 20, 2008
JE Sterne, Benoni But successful parenting and teaching is not about winning popularity contests; it’s about drawing a line, setting limits, saying, ...

Parenting: Easing the change to middle school
CBC.ca, Canada - Aug 20, 2008
CBC News Melanie Barwick Halfway through the month of August, thoughts turn away from summer fun toward school preparation, and for parents of kids making ...

Antalan: Patterns of parenting
Sun.Star, Philippines - 11 hours ago
By Roger P. Antalan RECENTLY, the president of the Parents-Teachers Association and the principal of a relatively small private school asked me to talk to ...

More to parenting than meets the eye
Manawatu Standard, New Zealand - 55 minutes ago
There has been plenty of ink used to spread tales of housing booms and busts over recent years, and numerous explanations as to why they happened, ...

Everyday choices: Parenting choices
Wausau Daily Herald, WI - 7 hours ago
Should you say anything to a stranger punishing his child in a way you feel is inappropriate? What about to a friend? Have you personally ever been faced ...

Practical Parenting
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, NY - 7 hours ago
She takes my two children on interesting and exciting trips around the city and always seems to be doing a “better job” than I am as a parent. ...

Love and Logic teaches positive parenting in Novi
Novi News, MI - 17 hours ago
By Chris Jackett • STAFF WRITER • August 21, 2008 Henry Ford Health System's Greg Oliver is offering help through the "Becoming a Love and Logic Parent" ...

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

Top 10 Things To Never Believe From Your Teenager