| The New Year is a time for forward planning. It is | | | | to hear similar stories from other parents. |
| a wonderful opportunity annually to take stock of | | | | 4. Join a support group. If your child has a |
| where your children are in their development and | | | | particular special need, a support group can be |
| to think of what you, as a parent may need, to | | | | very encouraging, while keeping you up to date |
| keep up with change as your child grows and | | | | with latest research and developments. |
| matures. What changes have you noticed in your | | | | 5. Attend some parent education classes. These |
| children over the last year? Is there something | | | | classes offer interesting and up to date |
| your children are doing that is challenging for you | | | | information about children or teenagers, particular |
| to deal with? Is there a parenting skill you would | | | | parenting issues and how to handle them. Group |
| just like to know a bit more about? | | | | workshops also have the advantage of parents |
| Here are seven ideas to think about to enrich | | | | linking in with other parents, which often allows |
| your parenting in the coming year, beginning with | | | | them to appreciate that what they are |
| easy immediate things you can do, through to | | | | experiencing is normal. |
| more intensive approaches, which can lead to | | | | 6. Attend some parent-coaching workshops. |
| meaningful and lasting change in your relationship | | | | Parent-coaching allows even deeper change for |
| with your child. | | | | the parent because parents are encouraged to |
| 1 Read a parenting book or two this year. Read | | | | look at their way of being with their children and |
| about issues that are relevant to you and your | | | | to make individual change for closer relationships. |
| child or simply soak up information about the | | | | The best coaches ask really thought provoking |
| age-group of your child so you are prepared for | | | | questions and allow the parent to come up with |
| the changes ahead. | | | | their own solutions. Like parent education |
| 2. Do some research on the internet. Government | | | | workshops, parent-coaching workshops also have |
| agencies often have terrific websites for parents | | | | the advantage of connecting parents with other |
| including free downloadable tip sheets that can be | | | | parents. |
| very helpful. Other websites can be helpful too - | | | | 7. Have some individual parent-coaching. This is a |
| but always be careful to check the authenticity of | | | | powerful way to make deep and lasting change in |
| the site and its information. | | | | your relationship with your child. Coaching can be |
| 3. Talk to your friends about parenting and your | | | | offered face to face or over the phone, which is |
| children's behaviours. This might seem a little | | | | a wonderful option for busy modern day parents. |
| obvious but it is a great way to understand | | | | Whether you try one of these seven options or |
| whether your children are exhibiting normal | | | | other ideas you may have to benefit your |
| behaviour for their age and to hear how other | | | | parenting; there will be two winners in 2009: you |
| parents deal with it. This is something that | | | | and your children. |
| mothers tend to do more than dads, so if you | | | | All the best for your parenting in 2009. May it be |
| are a dad talk with your mates about what being | | | | a year where you continue to learn and grow in |
| a parent is like for you. It can be very reassuring | | | | your ever changing and vitally important role. |