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Set Limits So That You Have Time to Be a Good Parent

Many parents feel guilty or struggle with the thought of being a good parent. Often times we are too busy in our daily schedules to be a good parent. We run from one appointment to another, trying to run our errands and then to see friends and family. Sometimes it is hard to have time to just be with the kids. The parent children contact and communication is one of the most important parts in parenting and growing up. If you have time to talk to your children you will have a chance to build a trusting bond and therefore are always informed about what is going on in their lives.

For many of us being a good parent might mean to set some limits. Limit the amount of time your children have extra curricular activities a week. Sure it is good for them to go to sports, learn and instrument and exercise, but when is there time to be just a child, to be with the family, to relax, to have fun? Is it really necessary that you run from one appointment to next and in between go shopping, run errands and fetch some fast food? Set a limit, have them participate in one sport or learn one instrument and make sure to have several evenings a week where there is nothing planned. Take time to be with the family or let them have some time to hang with their friends.

Being a good parent also means setting limits to other activities. Most adults and way too many children watch too much TV. Children should not spend more than a total of two hours in front of media. This includes regular television shows, DVDs, video games and PC time. Being a good parent means keeping the child from watching too much television and rather engaging the child in educational and meaningful activities. Should your child watch more than two hours a day, work out a plan to reduce the total amount. For example, never use TV as a background noise, use the timer or sleep function on your TV to shut the television off after half an hour.

Have your child select specific shows he or she may watch and only turn the TV on for those shows. If your child likes certain shows that are all clustered to one day a week, tape or TIVO the shows and then have the child watch them at another point in the week. Do not use TV as a winding down tool, rather read a book or listen to a story on tape or some music. For older children you can make up a television chart that helps them and you manage the time spent in front of the television. If your child is into computer or video games, add these items into the chart and limit the amount.

Another way you can be a good parent is by setting limits or deadlines by when homework or certain chores have to be done. Homework is important for your child’s education and if you set a deadline or a limit to other leisure time activities you are being a good parent. Participation in school and in the household is an important part of family life. Lots of children will probably not see these limits as being good parents, but just like you, at some point in the future they will appreciate your good parenting and all the effort you put into raising and educating them.

Being a good parent does not mean doing whatever it is the child enjoys and desires. There are many things in parenting that the child does not like or does not want to do, but it belongs into the category of growing up.