For extensive information and great tips about being a better parent go to http://raiseyourchildright.com/

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Help your child benefit from the POWER of GOAL Setting!
http://budurl.com/childgoals
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How To Be A Better Parent: Are You Failing?
Fail To Plan, And You Plan To Fail: nearly everyone recognizes the truth of this saying. Yet, like
many things mentally filed in our business/profession mind set, we often fail to realize the
implications in our personal lives.
If you fail to plan:
as a sister/brother,
in your marriage,
as a son/daughter,
in your walk of faith,
as a parent,
then the result is the same as if you plan to fail!
In my experience, a good marriage is not an accident. By being aware of the possible pitfalls,
keeping lines of communication open, and working at making it work the relationship can last and
even improve.
Parenting, that is raising up your child to be a happy, healthy, productive adult, certainly takes no
less effort.
So, what is your plan? You need to have specific Goal, and a time limit for reaching them. That is
the very definition of a PLAN.
How will you teach the ideas and habits important to health? Start here: the child that gets lots of
sugar will always crave it. Use fresh fruits and vegetables as snacks & treats. Avoid processed
foods and you avoid 75% of the troubles a high salt diet bring. Start early with these things and
you will never have a challenge. Of course the secondary benefit of getting children to understand
the effects of what they put into their body is a better knowledge of the dangers of drugs & alcohol.
How will you help them excel in life and with people? The youth that loves reading is never bored,
remains ahead of their age group in school, and is more creative. Dont fall into the trap of using
TV as a babysitter. Limiting time in front of ANY video screen, while difficult, yields great rewards.
How will you maintain a steady positive relationship with your child as they mature? One where
you are able to offer mentorship without them feeling threatened in their sense of autonomy? As
parents we walk the tightrope in this area. Among other things it takes cautious determination and
empathy. One basic tip: real communication is the key.
How will you teach your youth the importance of respect? When it comes to our interaction with

2. others there is no concept that is more important. Each of us needs schooling in the basics of
respect:
1. Respect for Self
I am important. What I do matters.
2. Respect for Others
You are important. How I treat you matters.
3. Respect for Property
Things are important: I wont mess with your stuff, please dont mess with mine.
4. Respect for Law
Rules are important: They are there to protect us.
If you do not have a plan, an idea of how you will do this it will not happen. And remember: you
have set Goals for yourself, many can not be attained unless you help your youth set Goals too.
Will your kids learn that actions have consequences from you, or the painful way? How about that
some actions, taken perhaps innocently enough, can have results that last a lifetime? A major
aspect of the parenting task is protecting them from harm. That does not mean shielding them, it
does not mean helping them avoid consequences, it means teaching and preparing them for real
life. If they never suffer the pain of bad decisions, how will they learn the importance of making
thoughtful choices?
The point is If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. These things will not happen by accident, except
negatively through our lack of action. That said: The only thing worse than having a plan, is having
one and not using it. Many thoughtful people create & even document a valid goal plan but fail to
put it into effect on a daily basis. If you are not doing something today for that goal, then you are
not doing anything for it.
There are many ways to move the plan from thought to action. You will find a simple one here.
Additionally, Sean Covey, son of Stephen Covey (7 Habits of Effective People) has developed a
great resource called The 7 Habits of Happy Kids. It is a perfect place to start.
BUT, no matter how you start, dont wait. Start today, right now while it is fresh in your mind.
Research shows that we forget half of what we hear within 30 minutes, and 50% of the rest within
30-60 days unless we review it.
The future of your children is too important to risk. So dont. Stop reading, get out a pen & paper,
and start writing down your plans.
Christopher Stephenson
Author of Raise Your Child Right
http://RaiseYourChildRight.com/
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3. Help your child benefit from the POWER of GOAL Setting!
http://budurl.com/childgoals
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