With the beginning of Spring around the corner, I thought this was a good time to review some of our foundational principles and practices that will help us to be the best parents we can be to the children God has given us.

My husband wrote this Positive Parent’s Creed many years ago and we feel it has stood the test of time in our own parenting and now in your generation of parents. Please consider each one. If you have questions or comments you’d like to make about any of them, please feel free to email me. I’ll be happy to discuss them with you.

The Positive Parent’s Creed

We will let our children know we love them no matter what they do.

* Our children will learn that love is not earned, love is freely given.

We will be honest about our mistakes, remembering to ask our children to forgive us when we fail them or misunderstand them.

* Our children will learn the value of personal honesty instead of hypocrisy.

We will give each child some individual time and attention every day.

*Our children will learn that they are important to us, not a nuisance that we endure.

We will listen to our children as well as talk to them.

* Our children will learn that listening to one another is one of the most loving things we can do for each other.

We will help our children develop a genuine personal faith in God.

* Our children will learn, through our example, the value of a genuine faith.

We will correct our children with love.

*Our children will learn that discipline is an expression of love.

We will teach proper relationship to authority.

*Our children will learn that respect for authority is the key to a successful life.

We will encourage proper independence.

*Our children will develop a strong conscience. They will learn to withstand and overcome the negative pressures around them.