5-phases-of-parenting-phase-2

5 PHASES OF PARENTING – PHASE 2

In the last two posts, we have been discussing the 5 Phases of Parenting, and in the previous post, we discussed that you don’t know what you don’t understand initially.  I gave the example of starting a new job, and someone is training you, and after about an hour, they ask you if you have any questions.  Your reaction is that you don’t know what to ask because it is all new.

In Phase 2, which is up to age 5, you begin to realize that you need to know and identify some key topic areas.  Parenting is a bit of self-discovery and undoubtedly unique to each home environment and parents, guardians, step-parents that are present.  As parents, we know that we’re not doing everything perfectly and at times may be very critical of our efforts blaming ourselves more than we should.

I like to encourage parents and remind them that kids are resilient and will bounce back and adjust quite quickly, certainly more rapidly than adults.  Being a parent is an honor because you are their teacher and anyone who is a teacher has a great benefit.  As you work through these five years, you start to remember things that the adults did in your life, some good and some bad.  You begin to realize the challenges that other adults faced while growing up.

It is good to remember some of these and write them down.  Make a list of things you do and do not want to do as a parent.  By simply being aware that there are phases to parenting and that you don’t need to be perfect, you have given yourself a great gift.  Here is what I know:  Most parents would love to go back to the first five years before their child went off to school.  Those years, while exhausting, are the more memorable and enjoyable.  Take time to enjoy the day-to-day attention that you’re able to give your child because it is a fleeting moment in their life as well as your own.

Next, we will talk about Phase 3; I Know what I Need to Know; the link is here, 5 Phases of Parenting – Phase 3 – Dr. Rich Patterson (pattersonphd.com)

It is always good to continue your knowledge of child development to anticipate what your child is going through.  Read this post, Parenting 101- Develop Effective Parenting Skills & Become A Better Parent (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

Yours for better parenting,

Rich