P

parenting The functions and processes of raising
a child. Most people grow and change in their
roles as parents as their children also grow and
change. Parents learn from their experiences and
their mistakes. Though one’s own parents are
often the most dominant role models for parent-
ing, new understandings about childhood devel-
opment may emphasize a different approach or set
of skills for parenting today.
Numerous classes and programs are available—
many of which community agencies offer at little
cost or no cost—that teach effective parenting
skills, appropriate discipline methods, and ways
for coping with the unique stresses of each devel-
opmental stage from infancy through ADOLESCENCE.
Friends and peers who are also raising children
often provide alternative ways of looking at and
handling specific though universal situations such
as tantrums, defiant behavior, dating, and driving.

KEY PARENTING RESPONSIBILITIES

• provide a loving, nurturing, safe environment


• provide adequate nutrition and physical activity


• provide appropriate medical care and dental care


• establish expectations and enforce limits


• listen and respond to the perspectives and concerns the
  child expresses


• seek help when things get out of hand


• encourage appropriate achievement and express pride in
  accomplishments

Just as there are stages of development for chil-
dren, there are periods of learning and changing
for parents. The needs of children shift as they
grow and mature, and it is important for parents
to adapt to support and accommodate those shifts
and the child’s increasing independence. Parents
need to relearn supervision and discipline

approaches to provide appropriate guidelines with

each developmental shift. It is important for par-

ents to be aware of activities in which children

may engage that put them at risk. The increasing

mobility and technology of the current culture,

coupled with the reality that more children than

not today grow up in what earlier generations

would have perceived as nontraditional house-

holds, allows greater independence and access at

an earlier age.

Parents also need to balance their careers and

social interests with the demands of parenting. It

is important for parents to maintain time for their

partners and friends, though this is often a chal-

lenging and sometimes daunting goal, because it

helps them maintain balance overall. It is also

important for parents to be able to have time

away from their children. As well, staying with

other adults helps children develop comfort in

knowing their parents can leave and will return.

Many parents worry that they do not give enough

of themselves to the functions of parenting, partic-

ularly when behavior problems arise. However,

behavior is fluid and dynamic and nearly all chil-

dren engage in some behaviors that distress their

parents, teachers, and sometimes even their own

friends and peers. Most child development experts

agree that whatever the parenting style, flexibility

and the ability to “go with the flow” for at least a

short time are approaches that help children to

find their bearings and move on to more appropri-

ate behaviors. Exceptions, of course, are behaviors

that threaten the safety and well-being of the

child or others, circumstances that require imme-

diate and appropriate intervention.

See also CHILD ABUSE; INTERPERSONAL RELATION-

SHIPS; STRESS AND STRESS MANAGEMENT; WORKPLACE

STRESS.

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