Being a parent is undoubtedly one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs in the world. As a parent, you are responsible for raising and nurturing another human being, guiding them through life's ups and downs, and helping them become responsible and productive members of society. If you are anything like me, you often question if you are teaching your child the correct skills to become an upstanding citizen of the world.
A couple of weeks ago, I had a friend tell me about a television show that is on ABC that has to do with parenting. I had not given this much thought until he started to talk more about what the show is about. If you are anything like me, you do not enjoy filling your time with reality television. However, I was surprised to find the opportunity to learn something new when I gave it a try. The show’s purpose was not to make average people look incapable of raising a family, but rather to highlight the strengths of various parenting styles.
The 12 families represented in the show range in styles of parenting and have children at different ages and stages of development. Each week there are four families that are highlighted. As their styles are discussed the family participates in what they call a “challenge”. The family is put through various situations to work through in order to highlight how their specific parenting style plays a role in the behavior and outcome of their family unit. Here are the following parenting styles that are highlighted and some of the characteristics within each style:
Disciplined
Specific rules
Strong consequences that match behavior
Worldly exposure
Direct/honest conversations
Traditional
Strong connections to country of origin
Decisions based on value system
Strong sense of community and tradition
Intensive
Goal focused
Education and high achievement are an expectation
Negative reinforcement is used
Child is taught that perfection is attainable
Child-Led
Child has a voice and input into family decisions
All people matter in the family system
Encourages that child already has the ability
Natural
The pace of the family is set at the will of the child
Eases into new and unfamiliar things
Quality time is spent as a whole family unit
Everyone contributes to running the home
Routine
Reliable structure
Point system used for positive behavior
Gives home a sense of stability and predictability
Helicopter
Strong sense of protection by parental figures
Children are sheltered from the reality of the world
Identity is found within the family unit versus outside influences
New Age
Empowers the child
Danger is not seen as a deterrent
Lets the child experiment and do most things without parents intervening
Flexible
High Achievement
Future thinking, things that are good for them in life versus just right now
It is not always about what they want to do
Child learns their true potential and capabilities
Push past the limits they create themselves
Negotiation
Uses reason and logic with child
Child has a say in his own decisions and choices
Gives objects and privileges as motivators
Free Range
Flexible
Lives in the moment and takes each day as an opportunity
Exploratory
Gives the option that failure is okay
Strict
Holds intense boundaries
Creates strength and belief system within family unit
Uses Bible as a guide for discipline and consequences
Demands respect
Strong values system
Clear boundaries
While I may not agree with all the specifics of each style, I am able to draw out strengths from all of them. This list is a great tool to use while evaluating your own parenting style. Learning about each of these styles prompted me to ask some questions about what I believe makes a healthy family unit. I could understand the benefits and how each style could help shape an emotionally whole child who can maintain healthy relationships and navigate today’s world. I then began to think about some helpful ways for families to look at their own parenting styles and ways that they could strengthen some of their approaches. Here are some questions that might be helpful in refining your own style:
1. Do I prioritize my child's needs and wants above my own?
As a parent, it's essential to put your child's needs first. This means making sure they have food, shelter, clothing, and a safe and loving environment to grow up in. It also means prioritizing their wants and desires, within reason, to make sure they feel loved and supported. However, it is also important to show them how to handle disappointment when they are told no. You are your child’s first teacher and you want to be able to coach them through these emotions as it will be something they are sure to encounter the rest of their life.
2. Do I set clear boundaries and consequences for misbehavior?
Children need structure and boundaries to feel safe and secure. It's essential to set clear rules and expectations for behavior and to have consequences in place for misbehavior. This can help your child understand what is expected of them and help them learn to take responsibility for their actions.
3. Do I listen to my child's thoughts and feelings?
Children need to feel heard and understood. It's essential to take the time to listen to your child's thoughts and experiences and to help them manage their feelings. This can help build a strong relationship with your child and promote healthy emotional development.
4. Do I provide opportunities for my child to learn and grow?
Children need opportunities to learn and explore the world around them. It's essential to provide them with age-appropriate activities and experiences that help them develop their skills and interests. This can help promote a love of learning and a sense of independence and self-esteem. They also need to learn the experience of losing. If they are made to believe that they will win at everything they do, this will hinder relationships for them in the future.
5. Do I model positive behavior and attitudes?
Children learn by example, so it's essential to model positive behavior and attitudes. This means being kind, respectful, and patient with your child and others. It also means demonstrating healthy habits, such as exercise, good nutrition, and healthy outlets and coping skills for big feelings. By asking yourself these questions and honestly evaluating your answers, you can get a better understanding of your own parenting style and identify those areas of possible growth. I often have to remind myself that the parenting process is a constantly evolving journey that does not always have a clear-cut answer. If your goal is to build a strong and healthy relationship with your child, there is a high probability that you are shaping them to make the world better than it was the day before.
To every one of you who continues to pray, give, volunteer, and spread the word, we are so thankful. Because of your support, individuals, children, and families in our neighborhoods and communities are able to make sense of the complexities of their lives. We couldn’t do this important work without you. A heartfelt thank you to all of you who have partnered with us, whether over a number of years, or as a newer partner, we take this time to stop to remember our blessings – and those blessings include YOU!
Thank you to Greater Lee’s Summit Healthcare Foundation for your grant to help expand our clinical services. We are honored to partner with you to create a healthier community.
We appreciate the in-kind donation from The JASE Group to offset our building costs. Your gift allows us to continue to provide quality counseling at a rate our clients are able to afford. Thank you!
Jeremiah 924 Foundation, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued belief in our mission and faithful support. We are so grateful for your friendship.
Our thanks goes out to Darrell & Judy Brammer for your annual gift. You are an encouragement to us as we continue to help as many as we can. Thank you!
We are so grateful for the quarterly donation from Stan & Deb Oglesby and Midwest Accident Reconstruction Services. Thank you for your continued partnership and desire to see others grow.
We are truly thankful for Roger & Laura Neir and Con Carpet for joining us as our Presenting Sponsor for our 7th Annual Golf Classic. What a blessing you have been to our ministry. You are providing generational change in our community.
To all of our faithful monthly and recurring supporters — THANK YOU from our Peace Partnership team! – Stone AMP SEO, Jeff & Lacey Cherry, Zane & Melissa Morerod, Mark McDonald, Jondy & Heather Britton, Matt & Kristy Newton, Clayton & Pam Wooldridge, Mark & Cathy McGaughey, Greg & Jennifer Spears, Roger & Jennifer Madsen, Brent & Amanda Miller, Mike & Jan McGraw, Willie & Adia Valdes, Linda Hartman, Dave & Rosie Bourland, Rudy & Stacy Blahnik, Mike & Tracy Pruitt, Sandra King, Diane Smith, Dan & Gigi Rippee, Andre & Rose Fantasma, Kevin Quinn, Scott & Lydia Hurley, Jon & Naomi Thompson, John & Keshia Otradovec, Tamara Stroud, Rick & Kathy Daulton, Church at Coffee Creek, John & Vicki Hefner, Cory & Leslie Young, Jenny Glasgow, Teddy Koehler, Brandon & Vanessa Blanchard, and Rick & Jan Britton. We appreciate each and every one of you!
Are there ways that you see yourself getting involved? Contact our Director of Development, Naomi Thompson, at: 816.272.0653 or naomi@peacecounseling.org to find out how you can join our team of Partners. To make a donation through our website, please click on the link below.
10th Anniversary Open House
Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 11am-2pm
Mark your calendars to come celebrate 10 years of Peace Partnership! Stop by for some fun, friends, and free food - including Zarda Bar-B-Q! You'll get to tour our office space, meet our staff, enter our raffle, and so much more. Watch for additional details to come.
Presented by Con Carpet Tile + Design Thursday, September 21, 2023 @ 7:30 AM Adams Pointe Golf Club, 1601 RD Mize Rd, Blue Springs, MO
Sponsorships and registrations are now open! Get your teams together, sign your company up for a sponsorship, and block the date on your calendar. All golf proceeds help provide affordable counseling to the families in our community. As a bonus, you know you’ll get an amazing lunch from Zarda and a killer swag bag!
REGISTRATION:
Team Registration – 4 Person ($700)
Individual Team Registration ($175): Playing on a team but paying fees individually.
Individual Player Registration ($200): Individual golfer, not yet on a team. Will be placed on a team prior to event.
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS:
Presenting Sponsor ($15,000): Prominent logo placement on all event materials, welcome banner, and stand-alone sponsor banner; name included as presenter on all written materials; logo placed on gift bag; private speaking engagement with Dr. Jon Thompson; 2 foursomes included
Platinum Sponsor ($10,000): Prominent logo placement on all event materials & signage; exclusive logoed golfer gift item; 2 foursomes included
Gold Sponsor ($5,000): Exclusive logoed golfer gift item; prominent signage at event & logo on website; 1 foursome included
Silver Sponsor ($3,000): Logo placed on souvenir gift bag; logo on sponsor banner & website; 1 foursome included
Cart Sponsor ($1,000): Logo included on both beverage carts (2), cart corral area, and on sponsor banner
Premium Hole Sponsor ($250): Sign with logo at designated hole; option to handout giveaways at hole; ability to include promotional item in gift bag
To contact our Director of Development, Naomi Thompson, call: 816.272.0653 or email: naomi@peacecounseling.org.
Have you or someone you know been helped by Peace Partnership or Genesis Counseling? If so, would you please consider paying it forward to help another find healing along their journey? We are asking anyone who is not currently partnering with us financially to consider donating $100/year for the next 3 years to help make a difference in someone else’s life. Collectively, we can help SO MANY PEOPLE! Please consider a gift today. Call the office for help getting your gift set up or choose a recurring donation on our website here. We are so grateful for your help changing lives!
