An empowered parent is a parent who is both kind and firm. A strong parent has courage and usually knows when to say “yes” or “no” to their child’s demands. A strong parent understands that their child benefits by having a parent who has strength of character, who doesn’t seem to struggle with endless childhood challenges, and who acts in charge even when their child says, “everyone is doing it.” A strong parent takes the time to communicate and pay attention daily to their child - to be informed about what their child is doing each day and also understands what’s in their child’s heart.

An empowered parent teaches their child values, morals, and how to be loving by demonstrating their own good behavior each day. If all you do is punish, yell, ignore, or blame your child, you’re putting up barriers to connecting. If you decide to encourage, validate, teach, negotiate, and snuggle with your child, you are building a relationship based on healthy emotions.

A strong parent provides a home that is violent free (no violence between brothers and sisters, parents or TV/computer programs). A strong parent doesn’t allow their child’s reply of “no” to trigger a power struggle. Instead a parent can re-state the “no” with, “it seems like you would like to continue watching the video, but its time to go wash up.” Then you are offering understanding and opening up dialogue.

A strong parent helps their child develop compassion by practicing empathy and thereby strengthening emotional bonds. A strong parent is an empowered parent, who truly knows that the decisions they make for their child’s welfare is the best decision. If a parent doesn’t really know what is the best solution, they have the strength to tell their child, “ I’m gong to have to think this over and after thinking this through, I’ll let you know my decision.”

A strong parent respects, loves, trusts, and accepts their child and their behavior. You can still have deep affection for your child while displaying authority. Healthy parenting is both control and love. It’s creating an emotional bond with your child that permits both of you to feel a connection that can withstand a wide-array of emotions. A child benefits by knowing there is a “grown up” in charge who takes care of them. That parent acts “in charge.”

A strong parent provides a home that encourages and helps to make possible an active learning environment. Books, magazines, trips to the library and family discussions should always be available to your child. A strong parent gives each child age-appropriate chores each day, so that their child can learn the word “responsible.” A strong parent has the inner belief that their child will do well, will succeed, will accomplish, and will become a very decent human being with feelings of love and generosity.

I have always thought that it is much more important to be close with my child than it is to always be right. I understand that by building a connection with my child, I am building a comfortable relationship that will last us a lifetime. I also know how important it is to remind my child that he is intelligent, strong, giving, and loving. I also remind my child that the most important things in life are being joyful, having inner happiness and peace, and that he should have praise and feelings of gratitude for everything he has and experiences.

Most of all an empowered parent feels confident that when they expect the best from their child, the best will be shine through. Expect your child to be good and you may be amazed that your expectation will materialize. Parenting is a step-by-step process. Not any person has been primed for being a parent, so don’t be hard on yourself. Just try to remember to be loving and fair in all your decisions, and you will find yourself able to face the tough issues as they come. Also remember that you are not your child’s friend, companion, buddy, or pal. You are the PARENT. Be an empowered one.