Lately in discussions of parenting, the lesson being taught is whatever feels ‘right’ to you is the correct choice. I don’t think the terms ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ are worth the focus. They are subjective, especially these days. We need to look at what are best practices in parenting.
As parents, we are provided so much information. Much of it is skewed by the one who wrote it to fit their idea of ‘right’ and maybe this blog has that bias. Bias by any other name is experience and interpretation-none of us are able to eliminate our experiences from shaping how we look, listen and interpret information.
Let’s be honest, there is information out there available to us, and much of it regarding child development and parenting has been available for longer than many of us have been alive.
You can look back at my “Crash Course in Child Development” posts noting all that is ‘best’ for each age group due to how they develop and learn in the world, based on science. These are scientists, child development experts, using the term “best” to teach their methods. For some reason when parents start talking about what may be best for a child, that word is thrown out.
Parents, and even more importantly people before becoming parents, would benefit by reading up on best practices in parenting and child development.
Just because best exists does not mean we can always choose it.
Hilary Clinton in her book It Takes a Village to Raise a Child says that we can only hope that each child born has a parent who stays home with them. This is the ‘best’ choice for a child’s development.
Mrs. Clinton advocates for each child to have a consistent caregiver. That means a caregiver who is around when the child is in need of something. A ‘consistent caregiver’ is what is best.
A mom I know, who was a single parent, recently told me she thinks that children should have a parent stay home for at least the first 5 years of the child’s life. Her words, not mine, but I would agree. She thinks this is the ‘best’ choice for children. She couldn’t choose it, because she had to work. This mom does not feel guilty for doing what she had to do to support her daughter, and she shouldn’t if that is what God led her to choose.
Best exists even when we do not or can not choose it.
Choices are on the table before a pregnancy occurs.
It would be best, if all who put themselves in the position to get pregnant thought about what the full result of their actions could be.
I will admit, at times I get overwhelmed with caring for the twins and 2 older kids and make a quick decision to get fast food or order pizza for dinner.
I am far from a perfect person. I fail every day in many ways.
I am not as patient as I should be all day long, I get frustrated. Don’t even get me started on all that I can work on as a wife! I do not always do what is best. That leads to guilt, which leads me to try harder next time. (Mom-guilt can be a good thing at times.)
The point is not that one person or even a small group of people know what is best and never stray from living it, the point is at one time we taught values. Now we like everything to have gray area…no absolutes, because then no one gets offended.
Life is tough sometimes. That is the case for both working moms, who have to sacrifice time with their children during the precious young years, as well as it is for those of us who sacrifice our careers to stay at home to not miss a moment with our kids.
I am not trying to tell anyone they are ‘wrong’-at least I try my best to not think like that. I do think right and wrong exist, I think many times what feels ‘right’ or ‘good’ to us individually can be the absolute wrong choice to make.
If a household with children needs a second income, then that has to be the focus.
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Best practices matter in almost every field whether it’s parenting, health or sports. Following the practices lead to good results and those results encourage the person to do better. Taking an example, if you will give enough time to your kids, you will definitely see chnages in the behaviour of your children.
I likewise, understand that there are sometimes genuine situations where both parents have to work. However, I think in many cases, people become accustomed to a standard of living that isn't necessary. A lot of "needs" are actually "wants."
Exactly. We have to reevaluate what we truly hold important.