Raising children can be both rewarding and challenging. Every stage in a child’s development poses its own unique challenges. With younger children, parents are faced with challenges such as safety issues with equipment and toys, nutritional needs and behavioral problems. Challenges with older children can involve education, discipline and the fast-paced technology of today that often poses the biggest and most problematic challenges for parents. Fortunately, there are resources for parents in need of advice, guidance and help.
Take advantage of online parenting resources.
While the Internet can be one of the biggest obstacles for keeping children safe, it can also be used as a valuable resource for help. Here are three examples of parenting help available online:
The National Parenting Center- This organization was founded in 1989, with the goal of providing parents with comprehensive advice from an expert panel of highly respected authorities in the field of child rearing and development. TNPC also developed their Seal of Approval program which identifies quality educational, entertainment and travel products and services that are marketed for parents and children.
Love and Logic- The philosophies and techniques for this program were developed by Jim Fay and Foster W. Cline, MD. Parents are taught more effective ways to talk to their kids and to hold their kids accountable when bad decisions are made. The goal is to have the child view the bad decision as the “bad guy,” instead of the parent. Parents can attend seminars, purchase instructional materials and purchase MP3 downloads with helpful advice on the website.
Terrific Parenting- This website was put together by licensed psychologist and parenting expert Dr. Randy Cale. Here you can find dozens of articles on topics such as:
Child behavior problems Daily routines Lack of responsibility Public behavior Toddler discipline Separation/divorce
You can also register to view dozens of free videos on a wide range of parenting issues. In addition to all the free information, Dr. Cale offers many other instructional materials for sale on the site, as well as personalized coaching sessions by phone.
Parents need help now more than ever before.
The challenges faced by parents today are unlike anything experienced by parents of past generations. Before the time of computers, the Internet and mobile phones, it was much easier to protect children from illegal, dangerous and adult situations.
The dark side of our advanced technology has provided children with easy and instant access to other people, products, information and media that could be harmful, inappropriate, dangerous or even deadly. Even parents who go out of their way to shelter their own children from today’s technology still have to worry about the influence of other children.
It’s important to seek help if you feel things are getting out of control within your family. Whether the problem is with your child’s behavior or because you feel overwhelmed, confused or uncertain about your role as a parent, there are resources for help, guidance and advice. In addition to the many online parenting resources available, talk to your child’s teachers and guidance counselors at school for help finding local parenting resources in your community.