The role of a parent and the nature of families has changed significantly as a result of the fast pace of changes in our society in the last 50 or more years.

From the old paradigm of a Nuclear Family with both parents living together, we now have many different types of family structure and parenting experiences. These changes, together with other influences on child development have made the role of parenting somewhat challenging and confusing.

Your children have many other teachers and role models as you operate within the context of the social (or antisocial!) world around you. Whether you regard them to be of a beneficial or a harmful influence, they are still there and include television, advertising, peers, child-care, schools, computers and the internet to name a few.

I am not judging these influences just asking you, as a parent, to be aware of their impact on children’s development. I believe over-exposure to television and computers for example, can have negative social and emotional effects on children and breed fear-based emotions and can also lead to over-stimulation of the nervous system.

Many of our children are overactive, restless, ‘moody’ and sometimes even aggressive after extended periods watching of TV or playing computer games. Have you ever tried to prise a child off a computer game and found yourself confronted by an angry, aggressive monster-like being? With regard to TV, you have only to watch a scary movie before going to bed to realize the effect it has on your nervous system!

As parents you remain the most significant and powerful influence on your child’s development. You are their most important role model providing wisdom, guidance and support for them as they grow and respond to the world around them. At the Rainbow Planet Connection we have a page especially for parents to help you with resources and ideas to help your children grow up with healthy social and emotional skills.

Your children are dear to your heart and yet they often provide your greatest emotional challenge.
Can your children’s energy seem huge and overwhelming at times? Do they push your emotional ‘buttons’ and bring up strong emotional reactions? Can they be manipulating and controlling? Do you sometimes feel lost and powerless?

Many parents seem to be looking for answers as to how to support and teach their children and how to develop an effective parenting role.There are no ‘Rule Books’ for you as a parent bringing up your children. In fact we are finding that many of today’s children do not respond to the old ways of punishment and control.

Parenting can be a bit haphazard and chaotic for many of us as we search for different ways of responding to our children. If you find yourself constantly involved in power struggles with your children and allowing them to control and manipulate you, then rest assured you are not alone. There appear to be many other parents who are having similar challenges.

I also have experienced that situation. My daughter has been my best teacher. I was a single parent for 12 years, juggling parenthood and a career. I carried a lot of blame, shame and guilt in my life. I gave my power away to my daughter and bless her soul she grabbed it with both hands outstretched! I have however, since learned a different way of responding and operating as a parent, one which is much less stressful!

Would you like to consider adopting a more proactive approach to parenting and being in your own power rather than feeling powerless?

This parenting role would include the following:

• Setting boundaries and personal space.
• Disengaging from the power struggles – coming out of emotional bondage to your children!
• No longer using blame, shame guilt language and nagging, coercion, threats and punishment – it drains your energy and it doesn’t work anyway!
• Using powerful, responsible language, which is loving but firm.
• Respecting and honoring yourself and your children.
• Looking after yourself as a parent as you are number one.
• Operating from a place of self-power and love.

If you would like to find out more about our online parenting course please follow this link.