The Four Principles of Parenting Preschoolers

Principle 1: Establish a Family Culture

We live in a scary world. A world where there is war, corruption, promiscuity, and lots of unhealthy media. Your family culture must outshine that dark world. As parents it is your job to inspire your children about your family and what you’re about. Creating rites of passage for our children are a powerful way to give them their own “a-ha” moments and mark the passage of their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual development. Make your family life fun! Children who grow up with a close, happy family want to spend time there and always find their way back – home becomes their lighthouse – a clear light to guide their way through the mysterious waters of their life’s journey.

Principle 2: Develop Moral Intelligence

Families tend to be either religious or non-religious. Regardless of which category you ascribe, it is essential that you and your children develop moral intelligence. Our world may be filled with a lot of negativity, but it still values a “good person.” We cannot teach our children to be respectful if we are yelling at them to hurry up or to stop poking their sister. We can’t teach them to be courteous if we never say thank you, please, or excuse me to our own kids. We must first reflect on our own behavior and acknowledge what we’re doing to set an example of virtuous conduct.  Then, our children learn first how to imitate us.  By learning the Language of the Virtues, you can help teach your child the meaning and implementation of such important character qualities as assertiveness, cooperation, courtesy, honesty, justice, patience, and respect.

Principle 3: Teach Life Lessons

Teaching means encouraging and setting consequences. Life is about making choices. Good parenting allows children to make choices, none to few in the beginning, more as they mature. It also allows your kids to make mistakes – more when they’re younger, less as they get older. It is your sacred duty to create clear boundaries for your children. By setting clear boundaries and remaining consistent to those boundaries, your child will stay safe.  Without lecturing and punishing, you can instill in your child a desire to do what is right.  By inspiring your child with the blessings of life, modeling a positive outlook, making good choices for your family, spending time with your children, and being consistent, your child will understand how life works.

Principle 4: Honor Your Own Spirit

Mothers are notorious for giving to everyone except to themselves. Despite their sleeplessness they are making sure everyone has what they need and more. When you are refreshed and well-rested and have had time to listen to your own thoughts, to be creative, or to empty your cup to a friend uninterrupted, you are honoring your own spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical spirit.

Feeling that you have the time or support system to get a break can be the challenge. Your first step toward honoring your spirit could be joining an on-going personal growth program that resonates with you, like this one that can fulfill your need to renew.