© goodheart-willcox co., inc.. parenting: a rewarding choice chapter 1


Parenting: A Rewarding Choice

Chapter 1


Key Terms

• parent• parenting• role• parenthood• nurturance• realistic expectations• unconditional love• dedication• flexibility• myth

• moral development• morals• structure• ethnic groups• cultural traditions• ethnic identity• heritage• diversity• stress


Objective

• Contrast the terms parent, parenting, and parenthood.


Parent

• The term parent applies to– the mother and father responsible for their

child’s birth– the actions of a mother and a father in caring

for and raising a child– other people who care for a child by serving

the role of mother or father, such as adoptive parents and foster parents


Parenting

• Parenting involves– meeting the child’s needs to age 18 or

sometimes longer– guiding a child toward the goal of becoming a

competent adult


Parenthood

• Parenthood is a highly valued role that comes with rights and responsibilities

• These rights and responsibilities allow parents to make decisions about raising children


In Your Opinion

• What is one thing that a parent has done to guide you toward the goal of becoming a competent adult?– What was their role in this process?– What was your role?

• What kinds of challenges do you think parenting poses?


Objective

• Describe the personal qualities and knowledge needed for effective parenting.


The Job Description

• Parenting is a series of related jobs and work experiences (often called a career)

• Qualifications include– individual’s personal qualities– knowledge of the subject– past experience


Personal Qualities

• Personal qualities are part of the special maturity needed for parenting


Nurturance

• Nurturance means to love, teach, and guide children

• Being a nurturing parent involves– having realistic expectations– giving unconditional love


Dedication

• Dedication is being devoted to a new role

• With parenting, dedication means– having a 24-hour-a-day,

everyday job– seeing that the child’s

needs are met


Flexibility

• Parents need flexibility to survive the many challenges they face

• Being a flexible parent requires parents to– adapt to children’s phases as they grow and

develop– adjust their own schedules due to the child’s

activities or needs


Knowledge and Experience

• Babies do not come with instructions, yet reliable information can be found everywhere

• The best knowledge comes from experiences working with children and learning from experienced teachers or parents


In Your Opinion

• List three facts you know about caring for an infant or a young child.– How do you know these facts?– Why do you consider them facts?


Objective

• Recognize popular myths about parenthood.


Parenting Myths and Realities

• Myths about parenting come from several sources:– Family culture and traditions– Society– Experts that disagree or do not have all the

facts

continued



• Myth #1:– All parenting skills are instinctive

• Facts:– No one is born with all the preparation needed

to be an effective parent– Many parenting skills must be learned through

gaining knowledge and experience

continued



• Myth #2:– A mature adult can be a perfect parent

• Facts:– Humans are not perfect, so no one can be a

perfect parent– Mature adults should strive to become

competent parents, not perfect parents

continued



• Myth #3:– Good parenting guarantees “good” children

• Facts:– This myth is based on the idea that personality

is completely formed in the early years– Influences outside the family, such as peers,

adults other than parents, and media, affect children in healthy or unhealthy ways

continued



• Myth #4:– Parenting is always fun

• Facts:– Like any other job, parenting can be fun, sad,

exciting, boring, satisfying, and frustrating– Adults should have realistic expectations

about parenting

continued



• Myth #5:– Children are always cute and sweet

• Facts:– Babies may be cute and sweet, but they also

scream and cry– Toddlers can be extremely stubborn– While children can be adorable, parents

should be prepared to accept reality


In Your Opinion

• Parents who look forward to all the stages of growth are more prepared for the realities of parenting. What are some ways that parents can prepare themselves for the reality of parenting– infants and toddlers?– school-age children and teenagers?


Objective

• Relate the overall job responsibilities of parents to the parenting needs of children.


The Responsibilities of Parenting

• Just like most jobs, parenting– is complicated– has basic requirements in caring for children– involves complex tasks in figuring out the best

way to help children


Wanting and Being Ready for Children

• People should think carefully about whether they really want children and are ready to be parents

• They should also recognize when it is not the right time to start or add to a family


Fulfilling Legal Responsibilities

• Parents have a legal responsibility to support and supervise children

• Parents support children by providing life necessities (food, clothing, shelter), medical care, and education

• Parents supervise and control children’s behavior


Fulfilling Legal Rights

• Parents have corresponding rights to make decisions about their children’s lives

• A parent’s legal responsibility continues until the child reaches the age of majority– This is the age, usually 18, when a person is

considered an adult by the legal system

continued


Fulfilling Legal Rights

• Examples of corresponding rights include– determine where children will live, what

medical care they will be given, and which school they will attend

– control children as they see fit as long as they do not neglect or abuse children or ask them to do something illegal

Note: Courts may intervene on behalf of children if parents abuse their rights


Meeting Children’s Needs

• Parents can meet children’s needs by– providing unconditional love– meeting their physical needs– promoting intellectual, emotional, and social

development– teaching them to behave in acceptable ways

and promoting their moral development– teaching them to be culturally aware


Unconditional Love

• If children know they are loved for who they are and for their own special qualities, they are likely to be self-confident and secure


Physical Needs

• Abraham Maslow, a psychologist, felt that a person’s physical needs must be met before any other needs

• Examples of physical needs include– food– clothing– shelter– water


Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs


Intellectual, Emotional, and Social Needs

• Intellectual learning can be promoted in and outside the home by parents or other caregivers and teachers

• Showing love to children and responding to their needs facilitates emotional development

• Interactions help children of all ages learn to share, communicate, and compromise


Need for Moral Development

• Parents can help children behave in ways that are socially acceptable by– teaching children morals– providing structure and

guidance


Heritage and Culture Awareness Needs

• As children learn about their own ethnic group, cultural traditions, ethnic identity, and heritage, they develop pride in their family

• Children learn diversity and gain an appreciation of other cultures when their parents and caregivers teach them about the customs and beliefs of other cultures


Maintaining Good Health

• Parents need to take care of themselves in order to take good care of their children

• Taking care of themselves may include– following a balanced diet– getting regular exercise– getting plenty of sleep– interacting with others– coping with stress


In Your Opinion

• Name three ways parents can cope with the stress of parenting.


Objective

• Summarize the rewards of parenting.


The Rewards of Parenting

• Examples of rewards and feelings that parents have include– a wide variety of emotions– new or deeper emotions– a sense of satisfaction in children– the reward of constant adventure


In Your Opinion

• How does a person know if he or she is ready to be a competent parent?

• What are some parenting challenges that would be specific to a person who had a child before he or she was ready?


Is Parenting Rewarding?

• The highest reward for a man’s toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it. ~ John Ruskin

© goodheart-willcox co., inc.. parenting: a rewarding choice chapter 1

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