If you’re a parent, get a pen and a book, and write down these essential points.
1. **Parenting Never Stops**:
Parenting doesn’t stop when your child turns ten.
It begins mentally the moment you decide to become a parent, even before your child is born.
It’s a continuous journey that requires mental preparation and commitment.
2. **Know Your Role and Responsibilities**:
Understand that parenting comes with specific roles and responsibilities.
Children don’t come with manuals, so invest time in learning about parenting.
Know your role to avoid stress and to ensure you’re neither overdoing nor underdoing it.
3. **Foundation is Key**:
The foundational years, from zero to ten, are crucial for your child’s development.
These years shape their future.
Invest in their spiritual, physical, and mental foundations early on.
4. **Set Rules and Values**:
Establish clear rules in your house and instill strong values.
Your values will guide your child when they face external influences.
Parenting is about consistently instilling these values and checking their impact.
5. **Start Early**:
Don’t wait to start parenting actively.
Begin early to avoid disadvantages later.
Setting rules and guiding your child from a young age is essential.
6. **Invest in Parenting**:
Just as you would invest in a career, invest in learning how to parent effectively.
There are numerous resources and coaches available.
Don’t neglect this critical role.
7. **Avoid Societal Pressure**:
Don’t be pressured into having children if you’re not ready.
Parenting requires a high level of commitment and sacrifice.
Ensure you and your partner are prepared and willing to take on this responsibility.
8. **Preparation is Crucial**:
While you can never be entirely prepared, having some level of readiness is essential.
Make informed decisions about parenting and communicate openly with your spouse about your readiness.
Remember, parenting is a significant and rewarding role, but it requires dedication and continuous effort.
Invest in it, and you’ll see the benefits in your child’s development and your relationship with them.
