Parents
Here are some things to consider doing. Some items may not be applicable to you.
- Consider downloading A Checklist for Your Life and complete and/or help your child with applicable items
Always:
-
Try to talk to your child on the same level, physically (e.g., get on your knees) and intellectually (e.g., person to person)
-
Set a good example for your child
-
Be consistent
-
Give your child some independence as long as it doesn’t endanger him/her
-
Provide structure and guidelines for your child
-
Don’t yell at your child, unless it’s a dangerous situation
-
Don’t make threats you might not carry out
-
Don’t criticize your child’s friends unless necessary
-
Make your child feel comfortable when he/she asks you questions so he/she will ask you when they have questions rather than ask someone else or acting without asking anyone for advice
-
Take advantage of things you and child see at the same time (e.g., on TV) to ask your child:
- If they have questions about that subject
- What they think about that subject
-
Be honest with your child (if you’re uncomfortable telling him/her the truth, tell him/her that he/she doesn’t need to know or that you’ll tell him/her later) so they will always know they can trust you
If your child does any of the following:
- Threatens to bodily harm you or your friends
- Destroys property
- Repeatedly exceeds the behavior limits you set for him/her
- Talk to your family doctor
- Consider seeking psychiatric counseling for your child
If your child says that his/her friends are doing something that you’re not letting him/her do (e.g., “everyone else does it”):
- Tell your child that you will call the parents of those children
As often as feasible:
- Try to take your child to things he/she can do rather than things he/she would just observe to stimulate mental and physical growth
- Give your child lots of love and support to stimulate mental and physical growth
- Keep your child busy with interesting and beneficial activities so he/she won’t be tempted by undesirable activities (e.g., trying illegal drugs, vandalism) due to boredom
Authority:
Before exercising authority over your child:
-
Ensure you are aware of, and understand, what your child is going through, e.g.:
- Go to the places they go to
- Listen to the music they listen to
- Watch the movies they see
- Volunteer to help in his/her classroom
Computers:
If your child has access to the Internet:
-
Be aware that many child abusers/molesters use the Internet to gain a child’s trust and set up a one-on-one meeting
-
Warn your child:
-
About child molesters using the Internet
-
To not give out any personal information on the Internet, e.g.,
- Where you live
- Where you go to school
-
To never meet with someone who has contacted them on the Internet without your approval
-
-
Monitor your child’s use of the Internet, including where they spend their time (e.g., specific chat rooms)
-
Consider not letting your child:
- Send E-mails
- Use the computer unsupervised
Mother of a girl:
- Don’t unintentionally make your daughter think that food is bad many mothers unintentionally make their daughters feel that dieting is important, risking anorexia
- Ensure your daughter understands that the women portrayed in commercials, on magazine covers, etc. are just images and are often airbrushed and/or computer enhanced to help keep your daughter from feeling she needs to lose weight, risking anorexia
Teach your child:
- To find pleasure in the right things
Visiting friends:
Before letting your child visit a friend’s house:
- Ask the parents if have guns in the house
- Tell your child that if they’re in a friend’s house and they see a gun, they must leave or call you right away
EXPLORE: At Home
Thanks for reading!
- 💬 If you have any comments, send us an email
- 📬 Subscribe to the Checklists! newsletter
- 📕 Buy the A Checklist for Your Life ebook