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	<title>Raising and Caring for Children - Parenting Journey &#187; Parenting</title>
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	<link>http://www.journeytocaring.com</link>
	<description>Journey to caring</description>
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<title>Raising and Caring for Children - Parenting Journey</title>
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		<title>The Keys To Effective Discipline</title>
		<link>http://www.journeytocaring.com/the-keys-to-effective-discipline/</link>
		<comments>http://www.journeytocaring.com/the-keys-to-effective-discipline/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 23 Apr 2011 21:08:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jamie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Parenting Skills]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.journeytocaring.com/the-keys-to-effective-discipline/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Disciplining a child is one of the most important, yet difficult, roles of being a parent. Effective discipline teaches a child to be self-disciplined later in life. It helps your child grow up to be ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Disciplining a child is one of the most important, yet difficult, roles of being a parent. Effective discipline teaches a child to be self-disciplined later in life. It helps your child grow up to be happy and well-adjusted. Effective and positive discipline teaches and guides children, and helps them to feel safe, secure, and valued.</p>
<p>Discipline should be based on a child&#8217;s age, development and temperament. A parent&#8217;s goals by disciplining their child is to protect them from danger, to help them learn self-control and self-discipline and to develop a sense of responsibility.</p>
<p>Children should be respectful of their parent&#8217;s authority. If they&#8217;re disciplined harshly or unfairly, especially if it includes shouting or humiliating, will make it difficult if not impossible for a child to respect and trust their parent.</p>
<p>Parents must be consistent in their discipline. Discipline that&#8217;s not consistent is confusing to children, no matter how old they are. If parents are inconsistent in the way they discipline their children, children may find it hard to respect them. It can also indirectly encourage misbehaving and result in confusion and frustration for the child.</p>
<p>Discipline must also be fair. Parents must make sure that the punishment fits the crime and doesn&#8217;t punish too severely or is too lax. The consequences of their actions should be related to their behavior.</p>
<p>In order to discourage bad behavior, give your child choices about what to do. He will appreciate the chance to make decisions. Make sure rules that protect the safety, health and well-being of your child are given top priority. If your child is irritable, tired or upset, be understanding and try to help calm them. It&#8217;s important to keep in mind that bad behavior can sometimes be circumstantial.</p>
<p>Encourage positive behavior in your child by spending quality time alone with your child each day. Give your child hugs, cuddles or a gentle pat on the back, and give praise when praise is due. If your child is angry or sad, try to understand why. Teach your child good behavior by setting a good example and behaving properly and appropriately yourself.</p>
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		<title>The Importance Of Crystal Clear Rules For Your Child</title>
		<link>http://www.journeytocaring.com/the-importance-of-crystal-clear-rules-for-your-child/</link>
		<comments>http://www.journeytocaring.com/the-importance-of-crystal-clear-rules-for-your-child/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Apr 2011 22:52:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jamie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Parenting Skills]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.journeytocaring.com/the-importance-of-crystal-clear-rules-for-your-child/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The world is a far more scary and complicated place than it was when you were a child. As a result, it's imperative that you set adequate yet fair boundaries with your child. It's a very important r]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The world is a far more scary and complicated place than it was when you were a child. As a result, it&#8217;s imperative that you set adequate yet fair boundaries with your child. It&#8217;s a very important role in your parenting responsibilities. Children must make difficult decisions each day, and if they don&#8217;t have clear, firm boundaries set, they may not always make the wisest choice. Limits teach children proper restraint in social and individual activities and provide children with necessary structure and security to assist in healthy development. Setting limits also provide children with guidance before they have an opportunity to get into trouble, thus making them more successful with everyday life.</p>
<p>A child&#8217;s age and developmental level needs to be considered when setting limits. All children have a need for independence and individualization; however, they also need structure, security and parental involvement. It goes without saying that the needs of a 2-year old vary greatly than those of a teenager. A toddler has a strong desire to explore and investigate, but parameters need to be set to ensure their safety while doing so. Teenagers need to be able to be an individual and be independent, but with strong parental guidance and influence, are more likely to make smart choices in difficult situations.</p>
<p>Limits should be discussed and set prior to the situation. Though situations arise that weren&#8217;t planned on, daily situations should have set limits and expectations. A teenager who breaks curfew may have the privilege of going out with friends revoked until they learn respect for the rules. A child who misbehaves while playing with a friend may need to be separated from the fun until they can learn to properly behave.</p>
<p>Children respond in a positive manner in an environment in which they know what to expect and what is excepted of them. A child will be more respectful towards rules and more willing to abide by them if the rules are clear and consistent. Additionally, it&#8217;s crucial that once a limit is set that they caregiver stick to it. A child is less likely to try and manipulate a caregiver into changing the limits when their experience has been that there&#8217;s no bending on the limits. And remember, you are the one who sets the limits and lays down the law. There&#8217;s no need to argue with your child. Be firm and consistent and they are less likely to challenge the rules and will accept the consequences.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Therapy For Teenagers</title>
		<link>http://www.journeytocaring.com/therapy-for-teenagers/</link>
		<comments>http://www.journeytocaring.com/therapy-for-teenagers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 27 Mar 2011 20:12:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jamie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Parenting Teenagers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[teens]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.journeytocaring.com/therapy-for-teenagers/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Teenagers have an unstable mindset and a bad frame of mind during the most of their childhood. There are a lot of times that they go through a depression as they find the problems in their life a litt]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Teenagers have an unstable mindset and a bad frame of mind during the most of their childhood. There are a lot of times that they go through a depression as they find the problems in their life a little hard to manage. There are a lot of problems that the teens go through. Hence, finding the solutions to the problems of the teenagers is the best option. There are a lot of studies and researches gone into setting the right kind of therapies and programs that can be suitable for the children.</p>
<p>The types of counseling:</p>
<p>The individual and the other counseling that are involved and prove to be effective for the growing teen. The teens face a lot of problems and these problems must be solved by someone or some programs that can help to be effective. The therapy is decided only after analyzing the intensity of the problems. Psychologists and the therapist firstly talk to the teens about the problem and try understanding it. Only after the entire session of analyzing the intensity do the teenagers problems. To keep the child healthy and the mental balance to be fit, one must be engrossed and keep himself busy in the work activities and exercising.</p>
<p>The counselors and the professionals who research on the teenage have the similar thoughts on going about with the counseling and the medication for the disturbed teenagers. Treating the teens with the simple talk therapies can actually help. These therapies are more like the anti depressants for the youth. The mental health of the teens is normally not stable. Hence in such cases one must go on to understand the issues and treat the teenagers. Teen therapy helps a lot for the disturbed teens. This is mainly because the children have combined sessions with many more teens and this helps in understanding the problems much better. The out patients therapies too are a help to those who are more on the destructive side. The problem screening is the effective measure that&#8217;s taken by the parents and the counselors. The short term medications can prove to be of great harm for many. Hence, precautions must be taken.</p>
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		<title>Are You Scarring Your Children Due To Divorce</title>
		<link>http://www.journeytocaring.com/are-you-scarring-your-children-due-to-divorce/</link>
		<comments>http://www.journeytocaring.com/are-you-scarring-your-children-due-to-divorce/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:19:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jamie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Parenting Through Divorce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parents]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.journeytocaring.com/are-you-scarring-your-children-due-to-divorce/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Some individuals resolve to stay in their marriage for their children. They want to break free and to start a new life but they don't. They may later discover that they didn't do their children any ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Some individuals resolve to stay in their marriage for their children. They want to break free and to start a new life but they don&#8217;t. They may later discover that they didn&#8217;t do their children any favors by staying in the relationship. They certainly weren&#8217;t happy and chances are everyone in the household was suffering because of what was going on emotionally.</p>
<p>The amount of damage that is going on right now for many children due to marital problems needs to be addressed. They are subjected to seeing verbal, emotional, and physical abuse. They may see affection or money withheld in order to exhibit complete control over the other party. None of these issues are good for children to be seeing and you better believe the will leave memories of a very unhappy childhood.</p>
<p>It is the emotional state of children that often keep people in a marriage when they want out though. They have heard all the horror stories about children with trust issues and relationship issues due to their parents being divorced. Yet it isn&#8217;t the fact that their parents are divorced that caused the problems. Rather it is often due to how things were handled before, during, and after the divorce.</p>
<p>It is often the actions of parents that are inappropriate and that damage children when a divorce takes place. The image of seeing your mom call your dad hateful names or of your father throwing dishes isn&#8217;t something that a child will soon forget. There are going to be rocky issues to deal with surrounding a divorce but do your best to shield your children from seeing them.</p>
<p>Children are going to pick up on the tension that is there between you and your ex spouse. They are going to be in the line of fire if there is still a great deal of unresolved conflict going on. It can be very unhealthy for them to see such issues taking place. It is possible to divorce someone and still have a decent relationship with them. It is possible for you to work as a team to do what is best for the children.</p>
<p>If you can work out details of the divorce so that the children are well cared for it will prevent them from being scarred. Messy divorces where both parties are blaming the other and getting the children in the middle of it aren&#8217;t going to benefit anyone at all. Never say hurtful things about your ex in front of your children. That person is still their parent and someone they both love and respect.</p>
<p>Make sure you take the time to talk to your children from their point of view about the divorce. Let them have some control over the direction those conversations take. They may have questions and you need to answer them. It is okay to let them see your emotions during the divorce as well. Just make sure you reassure them that everything is going to be fine. As long as they feel loved and safe they will be able to get through the divorce without ongoing problems.</p>
<p>You won&#8217;t be scarring your children if you do end up divorced. You do need to make sure you are well aware of how they are going to be affected though. You want to know what to expect so you can be there to meet the needs of your children. Make sure they know they can come to either parent for anything they need. You also need to consider your own actions. Make sure you are fully aware of how they will influence your children.</p>
<p>There are many well adjusted adults out there in our society that do have parents that divorced. They will be the first to tell you that the situation was for the better for everyone involved. It is refreshing to know that because the decision to divorce is one that doesn&#8217;t come easily. Yet if it is the right decision for your family then you just need to put the needs of your children first.</p>
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		<title>Common Teenage Problems</title>
		<link>http://www.journeytocaring.com/common-teenage-problems/</link>
		<comments>http://www.journeytocaring.com/common-teenage-problems/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Mar 2011 00:02:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jamie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Parenting Teenagers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[teens]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.journeytocaring.com/common-teenage-problems/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Teenagers often come across a lot of problems that one finds hard to get accustomed to. Especially the families and the peer group may find it immensely difficult to deal with a teenager having a lot ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Teenagers often come across a lot of problems that one finds hard to get accustomed to. Especially the families and the peer group may find it immensely difficult to deal with a teenager having a lot of problems. The teenage is probably the most difficult patch that the children have to deal with. Comfort and understanding is what the child would need in such times.</p>
<p>The problems faced by the teens:</p>
<p>There are a lot of problems that the teens face. These may be mainly related to the academics or emotional issues. The education system is the most important in a teenager&#8217;s life as at that point the teenager has to make a lot of choices. Thus, peer pressure and the family expectations can in turn make the teenager succumb into the situations. The family has some expectations and needs that the teenager has to follow. The rules set by the family can be a little unacceptable to the child in his teens as he is of growing age. Reasoning out is what the children in their teens do most of the times. They do not have the power to think twice before they take on any steps. Therefore the problems need a good solution which can be talking it out with the teenagers. The child is also prone to fall prey to the gambling and other such addictions, and hence, the children follow the things that they like. To show them the right way remains the duty of the parents and the teachers. Counselors can be one way out of the main issues. These counselors help make the right decisions in life.</p>
<p>Taking Guidance:</p>
<p>Taking guidance from the people who are qualified in the field of parenting the teens is helpful. The teens can find it immensely difficult to manage every decision on them; hence, the counselors and the psychologists help. The teachers too prove to be effective in such cases. Taking help from these people in order to build up a safe and secure teen for your child could be a boon. Thus, solving the teenage problems can result in a better teen age.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>How To Make Single Parenting A Little Easier</title>
		<link>http://www.journeytocaring.com/how-to-make-single-parenting-a-little-easier/</link>
		<comments>http://www.journeytocaring.com/how-to-make-single-parenting-a-little-easier/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Mar 2011 07:51:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jamie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Adoption]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parents]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.journeytocaring.com/how-to-make-single-parenting-a-little-easier/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Single parents are parents that care for their children without assistance from others in the home, though legal definitions may vary according to local laws of different states. Single parenting may ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Single parents are parents that care for their children without assistance from others in the home, though legal definitions may vary according to local laws of different states. Single parenting may be a result of different factors, though often it is an option taken by the parent as in the case of adoption, artificial insemination, surrogate motherhood or pre-marital pregnancy.</p>
<p>A Big Challenge</p>
<p>Single parenting can often be very challenging and single parents as well as their children often face stigma, violence and social problems. In addition, children of single parents often need to take on more responsibilities that also include looking after themselves. Also, single parenting means discussing things with the children such as financial or family decisions, which in other families, are only discussed among parents.</p>
<p>Often, single parenting is a result of it being the best or only option and despite media hype; it need not always be bad news. It requires sorting out the difficult issues of money, childcare as well as the relationship that the single parent is in with the other parent of the child. Single parenting, contrary to popular opinion, is often a joy as it brings the parent closer to the child as well as gives more control to parent the child according to one parent&#8217;s vision.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, single parenting involves understanding the other parent&#8217;s legal and financial responsibilities, clarifying custody as well as visitation rights, and in this regard, it pays to have the roles clearly defined legally so as to protect the child better. The single parent should also clarify his or her needs for support and should not be afraid to ask for help.</p>
<p>Single parenting also means setting up daily rituals and regular routines and being consistent and dependable. To make single parenting easier, it is necessary to forgive the other parent and not hold any grudge against one who is absent. Not having a lot of money need not be a big drawback as there is always the child close at hand; and material comforts and monetary wealth are but poor substitutes for the love and time that single parenting affords while taking care of the child. Single parenting also means giving as much time and devotion as is reasonably possible without setting impossible goals. Also, families do not need to be only biological, because the single parent can and should surround himself and the child with friends that are trustworthy and who care about both of you.</p>
<p>It is also necessary to take responsibility for your own life by realizing that you are solely responsible for an innocent life too. It means not letting the child down or holding him accountable for the actions over which he never had any control.</p>
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		<title>Anorexia In Teens</title>
		<link>http://www.journeytocaring.com/anorexia-in-teens/</link>
		<comments>http://www.journeytocaring.com/anorexia-in-teens/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:58:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jamie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Parenting Teenagers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[teens]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.journeytocaring.com/anorexia-in-teens/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Anorexia is a psychological eating disorder in which the person suffering has an obsession to lose more n more weight despite being thin. This even has serious emotional and physical consequences. The]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Anorexia is a psychological eating disorder in which the person suffering has an obsession to lose more n more weight despite being thin. This even has serious emotional and physical consequences. The person forces himself to eat less to an extent of starvation to lose weight without realizing the consequences. The teens go through a lot of changes during the initial years. This is because of the kind of pressure that they go thorough due to changes in the physical and the mental being. The psychologists and the experts work towards making the treatment of the Anorexia disorder less effective and more of interactive session for the teens.</p>
<p>Effects Of Anorexia</p>
<p>Anorexia leads to serious psychological n anatomical disorders since the human body is devoid of a lot of nutrients it requires for normal functioning. The attention that is given to the teens can never be complete till the time the teens walk out of the depression. The concentration of the teens is affected due to the Anorexia. Understanding the teens and their thoughts is effective. The teens need to be understood well. The teens must follow a proper diet to stay healthy.</p>
<p>It leads to lack of concentration, hair loss, resistance, and hypersensitivity to heat, dehydration, and fatigue, weakness etching the extreme cases it can also lead to heart problems, low blood pressure, anemia, stunted growth, emotional regression, depression and irritability. Basically the depression that the teens go through needs special attention.</p>
<p>Measures To Avoid Anorexia</p>
<p>Anorexia is not a disease but a psychological perception. The teens must have certain interactive sessions hence; the parents get a chance to know the children well. Knowing your teens in turn helps you to spend time with them. So the teenagers should be made to realize how adversely losing weight affect the life. Proper diet and the needy measures must be taken to understand the teen comfortably. The Anorexia is more of a disorder for the teens. Proper care and attention needs to be given in such cases as lack of attention and care can take toil on the health of the teen. </p>
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		<item>
		<title>Teen Issues</title>
		<link>http://www.journeytocaring.com/teen-issues/</link>
		<comments>http://www.journeytocaring.com/teen-issues/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:24:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jamie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Parenting Teenagers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[teens]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.journeytocaring.com/teen-issues/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The teenagers face a lot of problems during their teenage. These problems start right from the time that they enter the teenage to the time they find themselves in the older category. Teenage starts f]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The teenagers face a lot of problems during their teenage. These problems start right from the time that they enter the teenage to the time they find themselves in the older category. Teenage starts from the age of thirteen and goes on to the twentieth year of their life. This is the most delicate time of their age. This phase is the phase when the children need attention and care and also a lot of understanding that in turn can help the children get comfortable.</p>
<p>The issues:</p>
<p>At this age the issues that the children deal with are normally with their peer group. This age compels them to have issues and dis agreements with their own mates. This way, they do not have the mind to actually reason out with their friends and mates on the issues wherein they are bound to have problems. May it be problems related to the friend circle or the family; teenagers need a helping hand at understanding the problems that are common. Also, there is a lot of pressure on the teens to make their mark. This is the best time when the teens are normally noticed. These years are some of the most crucial years in a child&#8217;s life. Education is another issue that the teenagers have faced in this age. There is peer pressure as well as the pressure from the family and the parents related to making their mark in the filed of academics. Children in this age also have the tendency of falling prey to the gambling habits. The internet addiction too can be of much harm to their mind and their growth.</p>
<p>Communication:</p>
<p>Puberty is another problem that the children deal with during these years. The communication problem that the teenagers face is because that these children often cannot convey their inner feelings to the opposite person. Aggressiveness is in their mind during this phase. Also, at this age the children tend to get too emotional and cannot manage the feelings with the situations. Staying away from drugs also helps them grow in a way. Keeping them away from problems is an issue that must be paid attention to.</p>
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		<title>Parenting And Discipline</title>
		<link>http://www.journeytocaring.com/parenting-and-discipline/</link>
		<comments>http://www.journeytocaring.com/parenting-and-discipline/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 12 Mar 2011 22:39:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jamie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parents]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.journeytocaring.com/parenting-and-discipline/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Parenting and discipline are two terms that are often found in the same sentence. A large part of parenting during certain periods of a child's life includes discipline. Discipline is not just a syno]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Parenting and discipline are two terms that are often found in the same sentence. A large part of parenting during certain periods of a child&#8217;s life includes discipline. Discipline is not just a synonym for punishment. Discipline is an a characteristic of behavior that is encouraged by good parenting and is incorporated into our childhood, adolescent and adult lives. Discipline and parenting are connected because parenting not only models discipline or the lack of discipline, but it can also be taught.</p>
<p>Before considering the more abstract concept of discipline and parenting, there is also the more obvious, concrete type of discipline during parenting. This type of discipline is often in the form of consequences for unacceptable behavior. The parenting styles of discipline can be in the form of denied privileges, including limiting curfews or TV and computer times. This type of discipline can also include restriction to house or bedroom for a period of time. If not overused, this parenting and discipline tactic can be useful and effective, but if abused, it can backfire and cause more problems than it solves.</p>
<p>An extreme parenting response to the discipline question is corporal punishment, which, with the exception of some religious groups, has become obsolete, ridiculed and even outlawed. Disciplining a child with physical punishment is not only a negative psychological approach, but it is also dangerous. Many young children are injured and have even died as a result of physical punishment that was violent and caused serious harm and, alarmingly, death of that child. When any mandated reporter, teachers, medical staff, social workers, etc. have reason to believe that a child is being physically punished, whether it is because the mother or father has chosen spankings or worse as their parenting and discipline preference, the child protective services agency serving the area of the child&#8217;s home will be contacted for investigation. So what may seem like a normal way of parenting and disciplining your child to you, can be seen as an illegal and dangerous act of abuse to the authorities.</p>
<p>Having said this, it seems clear that physical punishment, (any act which leaves a mark or causes injury, emotional or physical to the child) should be avoided. It does not serve any positive purpose and seems unwise as a discipline and parenting choice.</p>
<p>In the broader definition of parenting and discipline, when we think about teaching self discipline to children, we help them grow into better adjusted adults. We all need discipline concerning what we eat, how we exercise, how we work at school and job, how we keep our homes or personal spaces and our clothing, etc. So when you are parenting your children from the earliest ages, exercise self discipline in your own life and teach them self discipline to enrich theirs. When we become parents, we need to be aware of the importance of discipline in our parenting.</p>
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		<title>Protect Your Child&#8217;s Self Esteem And Identity During A Divorce</title>
		<link>http://www.journeytocaring.com/protect-your-childs-self-esteem-and-identity-during-a-divorce/</link>
		<comments>http://www.journeytocaring.com/protect-your-childs-self-esteem-and-identity-during-a-divorce/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Mar 2011 20:45:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jamie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Parenting Through Divorce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parents]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Children experience an array of emotions when they find out their parents are getting a divorce. It is no different from what the adults feel yet they may not have all of the facts. This can result in]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Children experience an array of emotions when they find out their parents are getting a divorce. It is no different from what the adults feel yet they may not have all of the facts. This can result in children blaming themselves for the divorce. They will remember all of the times their parents had a conflict over them.</p>
<p>It is very important to talk openly with your children about the divorce. They need to know that they aren&#8217;t the cause of it. This will help them to have a very good sense of self worth. Many children from divorced families end up with low self esteem as they grow up being unsure of their role in all of it.</p>
<p>Each person needs to have their own self identity, and that is even more so when they parents have gotten a divorce. Children need to be able to follow their own dreams and engage in activities that make them happy. Trying new experiences can also help them to cope with what is going on as well.</p>
<p>Every attempt should be made by both parents to keep some common things the same during the divorce. Children will recognize this and it helps them to get their footing back. Stability is very important for children to thrive. When you through in new family dynamics as well as living someplace new it can be very overwhelming.</p>
<p>It is very important for parents to encourage their children to talk openly about how the divorce is affecting them. Too many children hide what they truly feel as they don&#8217;t want to make things more difficult for the parents. They can see they are already hurting and they don&#8217;t want to compound that. Children can be very compassionate that way.</p>
<p>Yet it doesn&#8217;t help them as far as developing their own identity or with their self esteem. Suppressing what is really going on inside of them can lead to depression and other problems for your child. They may learn to be what they feel others want them to be at the expense of being who it is that they really want to be. This is a struggle that they will find difficult to deal with.</p>
<p>The effects of a divorce are something that happen ongoing. They don&#8217;t just affect children when they are first told about what will be taking place. They are going to take their cues from the adults so make sure you offer a good example. Do your best to have a decent relationship with your soon to be ex spouse if only for the sake of your children.</p>
<p>Encourage your children to do what is going to make them happy. At the same time you need to do the same thing. You want to be able to fully recover from the effects of the divorce yourself. If you aren&#8217;t able to, you won&#8217;t be able to commit fully to the needs of your children.</p>
<p>Having good self esteem is very important for a child. They will need it to have the desire to pursue their goals and their dreams. Knowing who you are and being proud of that is a big part of that. While you can&#8217;t shield your children from all of the negative emotions and burdens of a divorce you can help them to maintain those two things. Be willing to step into their shoes and see how things are going to affect them in the overall scheme of things.</p>
<p>There are too many adults out there right now carrying around scars from their own childhood and the divorce of their own parents. In our society divorce is very common and in many instances unavoidable. If that is the right choice from you then make sure you do everything in your power to help your children do more than just survive it.</p>
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