Most parents think that if our child would just “behave,” we could stay calm as parents.

The truth is that managing our own emotions and actions is what allows us to feel peaceful as parents.

Ultimately we can’t control our children or the obstacles they will face ― but we can always control our own actions. 

Parenting isn’t about what our child does, but about how we respond. 

In fact, most of what we call parenting doesn’t take place between a parent and child but within the parent. 

When a storm brews, a parent’s response will either calm it or trigger a full‐scale tsunami. 

Staying calm enough to respond constructively to all that childish behavior ― and the stormy emotions behind it ― requires that we grow, too. 

If we can use those times when our buttons get pushed to reflect, not just react, we can notice when we lose equilibrium and steer ourselves back on track. 

This inner growth is the hardest work there is, but it’s what enables you to become a more peaceful parent, one day at a time.

Referenced by H2220922

 We are always teaching our children something by our words and our actions. 

They learn from seeing. 

They learn from hearing and from overhearing. 

Children share the values of their parents about the most important things in life. 

Our priorities and principles and our examples of good behavior can teach our children to take the high road when other roads look tempting.

Remember that children do not learn the values that make up strong character simply by being told about them.     

They learn by seeing the people around them act on and uphold those values in their daily lives.

Therefore show your child good examples of life by your action.

In our daily lives, we can show our children that we respect others.

We can show them our compassion and concern when others are suffering, and our own self­discipline, courage and honesty as we make difficult decisions.

referenced by H1230920