PARENTING CAN BE CHALLENGING : Find fun ways to relate to your sons and/or daughters

The ups and downs of raising children

"Parenting is a verb."- Dr. Phil

Parenting, an honourable and fulfilling job that it is, can sometimes be difficult and frustrating for mothers and fathers, who may not have a glue how to 'handle' the lows that come with being a this honourable job. It can be stressful for kids too.

However, there are no hard and fast rules in this institution. The parent and the child greatly affect the manner in which the parental duties are carried. Knowing your child well can contribute positively to the way you talk to them and the way you raise them. Each child is different, and needs to be known and understood well by his/her mom and/or dad. Communication and understanding are keys to great family relationships. All Father-Son, Father-Daughter, Mother-Son, Mother-Daughter relationships need to be well-managed; with sensitivity, love, understanding and nurturing. Negative emotions and judgements often spoil the relationship.

Each parent has a big role to play in his/her daughters' and/or sons' lives. "Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned and tempers are short, thank you Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely"- Author Unknown

Parent-child relationships: take this fun quiz with your kids

1. Name your child's best friend

2. Name your child's all-time favourite teacher

3. What is your child's favourite subject in school?

4. Most challenging subject

5. Current exciting project(s)

6. Current worries/disturbances

7. Likes/Dislikes about each parent

8. Would he/she change anything about herself/himself? What?

9. What makes your child happy/sad?

10. What is it that can make family relations easier for him/her? If you are able to answer at least half of these questions correctly, then you are on a way to building good relationships with your child/children. Continue to work on it, and add more questions.

"Watching your daughter being collected by her date feels like handing over a million dollar Stradivarius to a gorilla" - Jim Bishop

Recommended books for parents with purpose

"How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk" is an excellent communication tool kit based on a series of workshops developed by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. Faber and Mazlish (coauthors of Siblings Without Rivalry) provide a step-by-step approach to improving relationships in your house.

"Supernanny" Jo Frost may as well be wearing a Wonder Woman costume. Her no-nonsense rules--not tips, not advice, but rules--for consistently managing one's offspring leave no room for arguments (or wrestling matches).

"Say it with conidence" is a reference book for parents who want their kids to be confident, manage shyness and speak without fear of rejection. The case-studies of a shy little girl provide instant motivation for any one whose shyness is a threat to progress in life. Exprtly written by public-speaking-solutions.com authour, Sofia Matloga, the ebook provides confidence boosting tips that will help both parents and children alike.

Say it with confidence ebook!