Raising Children

The best and hardest job you'll ever have is raising children. You may be raising an only child, a gifted child or a difficult child.

Or are you raising a child with special needs? My friend Judson has a daughter with autism and he has created a site filled with important information to help you and to help your special child be the best he or she can be!...

Raising Special Kids

Perhaps you are continuing to closely parent an adult child ~ do we ever really stop?!

Yet, ultimately, what you want is to be raising resilient children. Children who make healthy choices and contribute to making the world a better place.

Raising Ourselves First...

Parents have the least amount of training for the most important job in the world!

Raising children requires parents to seek information and education.It does not come naturally!
You may have been parented well, or not. You may have good parenting role models around you, or not. Do you feel overwhelmed by the tons of conflicting information out there, about every child-rearing topic under the sun?

How to Sort It Out? Where Do You Begin? ...

As always, change can only begin with you.

So begin by remembering who you were before you had children. What were you passionate about? Staying connected to the healthy, before-parenthood part of you will keep you on course.

Knowing what you believe in and value and what your parenting partner believes and values will make all of your decisions easier. You won't be doubting or guilting yourself at every step.

Look Around You...

Be An Astute Observer of OthersNotice parents, grandparents and teachers, whether they are your own or someone else’s. They provide lots of opportunities to learn new approaches, or decide what not to do. Ask them. What is their philosophy of parenting? What did they do well when raising kids? What would they do differently?

Look Into Your Crystal Ball...

Who You Are...Is Who Your Child Is Becoming

Sure, it may be hard to imagine your child as an adult but its important to imagine it and plan for it and act on it now.

If you don’t know where you’re going…how will you get there?!

What do you value? What’s important to you? What’s important to your parenting partner? Where do you agree? Where can you agree to disagree?

What is at the top of your list of qualities that you want your adult children to have? Being resilient, clear thinking, kind and generous may make the list. Is family time important? Spending time in nature? Volunteering?

You Are What You Say...

Language is the single most powerful element of parenting!
Your parenting style and choice of language play a huge part in your child’s outlook on life. How do you handle anger and stress? What is your child learning by watching you cope with life’s ups and downs? Does your child see you being respectful and appreciative to others?

Learn More About the Power of Language

7 Tips for Raising Children

Are you raising children that will become parents and know:

Its important to help those who have less
'Calling your mother' is an important part of your routine
Family time is a priority
Outdoor time is healing and calming
Respect is shown by listening and following through
Consistency is key
Unconditional love is the foundation of relationship

You aren’t raising a little boy, you are raising a man.
You aren’t raising a little girl, you are raising a woman.

Interested in exploring alternatives to conventional medicine?
Often, our children need us to 'expand our range' and think outside the box. Dr. Peter Hanfileti, MD is a pediatrician who trained and practiced in allopathic medicine for years. His transition to also considering other modalities including Chinese medicine and Energy medicine inspires his practice now. He shares insights and wisdom with parents at his website: Principles for Parents.

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