Michele Gentile  

1-05-09
Today's show featured international parenting teacher Helen Williams, a Native New Zealander who phoned into our show live from Dubai.
On our show we talked about how many of us were raised in an authoritarian style and have not wanted to duplicate that style with our children . As a result the pendulum may have swung too far when our children are running the house. Helen points out that when parents are not in control, and children know this, it can create a feeling of uneasiness for the child. It doesn't feel safe. They are not getting the message that it is ok to be a child, but that they must think like an adult in order to handle all the choices that they are given.
Helen advocates an authoritative parenting style- one that is responsive to a child's needs in a warm and loving way, but at the same time sets clear consistent expectations of age appropriate responsible behaviors. Michele added that for a child to have a sense of confidence, they must have mastery experiences of accomplishing age appropriate tasks that are meaningful for them.
The key to Helen's approach is clear, consistent parenting. This is achieved when a parent is aware of their values and how their behavior conveys those values to their child. Listening to this show is a good first step in raising awareness about this vitally important life task of raising children. For more information visit Helen's websites www.consistentparentingadvice.com and www.authenticself.com