The Four Pillars of Parenting

Make Parenting a Habit:

One thing you will hear me say over and over again is that
parenting takes time and work. You must dedicate yourself to
learning and growing. There is no quick fix.

So remember this:

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act
but a habit." - Aristotle

Great parenting is not an act but a habit. You must commit to it
and work hard. But don't let that stop you.

Don't accept being average or your children will learn to be
average as well. Instead, shoot for excellence and your children
will too. You owe it to yourself and to your children.

Check back regularly for more.

I see a lot of parents who are not realistic in their parenting of their children.

If your goal is to have a "perfect child" - one who always obeys, never complains or gets in trouble and always gets good grades - you are setting yourself and your children up for failure.

Over the years, the "perfect kids" I have seen pretend to be one thing on the outside but feel the opposite on the inside.

They are always respectful to others, win the awards, and make us look good.

And for those who are interested in looking like perfect parents, these kids are great to have.

However, many of these children "break down" as they get older and grow tired of trying to please others.

Dealing with the realities, struggles and challenges of life is difficult for them as adults because they have not had to face them as children.

So give up the dream of having a perfect child and being a perfect parent and get to work at just loving, teaching, and encouraging your real child instead.

It will turn out better for you and for them.