Change Begins with Parenting

Do you feel the energetic vibration pulsating across the country? It’s called change. Our nation as we know it is about to undergo a massive alteration. Our new leader, President Barack Obama, is calling for us to transform our ways. rnThe president is asking congressional leaders to join forces to overcome financial downfalls, stock market instability, and global recession. He is seeking to reform government policies, create more jobs, better our schools, and bring our military men and women home. He is clearly a president encouraging change. As he said in his inaugural address, “For the world has changed, and we must change with it.” rnAre you ready to change? Are you willing to change how you live in this world and interact with others? Are you ready to step out of the victim stance, stop blaming other people, and start taking responsibility for what has shown up in your life? “What is required now is a new era of responsibility,” President Obama said minutes after he took the oath of office. Are you ready to embrace that new era? Are you willing to play an integral role in it? “The time has come to set aside childish things,” our new president said. Are you ready to give up your adolescent video games and read to your children instead? Can you commit to making Friday night family night instead of hiring a babysitter so you can go bowling? Will you come out of the computer room long enough to be there with your children while they bake cookies and decorate them? Are you ready to take up the sacred role of parenting with a passion and parent like no one else so your children can grow up to be like no one else? “Greatness is never a given. It must be earned,” our president reminded us. Are you ready to earn the label of “great parent”? Will you teach your children a new way of living? Will you teach them how to be responsible, caring, and conscious? Will you teach them how to think about what is happening around them and how to see themselves as cause? Will you empower them and teach them to think for themselves rather than blindly obey? Can you show them that mistakes are merely learning experiences, hold them accountable with love in your heart, and be present with empathy? rnWill you do what it takes to become a better parent? Will you give yourself the time to learn parenting strategies that uplift and nurture your children? Will your listen to how you talk to your children about the world and adjust your language? Will you examine your attitude and seek a demeanor of acceptance and tolerance? Will you explore your thoughts and become open to thinking differently about your children’s behavior? Will you stretch your belief system and grow in a deeper understanding of love and compassion? Will you recognize your behavior and strive to have it reflect who you truly are? Will you be the best parent you can possibly be? rnAre you ready to be an uncommon parent? Because the change the country really needs is not about change in the White House. It is about change in your house. And in ours. Thomas Haller and Chick Moorman are the authors of The 10 Commitments: Parenting with Purpose. They are two of the world's foremost authorities on raising responsible, caring, confident children. They publish a free Uncommon Parenting blog. To obtain more information about how they can help you or your group meet your parenting needs, visit their website today:rnwww.uncommon-parenting.com