Regardless of the fact that the old saying states “A man’s home is his castle,” that castle can seem more like a prison if parents fail to imbue their home (and the family living in it) with the right kind of emotional and social environment–a supportive and comforting one. Despite whatever things need to be kept in mind regarding adults, it is incredibly important that parents pay attention to the needs children have and how they can be satisfied, generating precisely the positive sort of environment earlier mentioned.
Turning that mandate into a reality is, of course, a tricky matter that will vary from family to family and from parent to parent. What is for sure is that parents need to reinforce positive behavior in their children-and learn at the same time how to discourage negative behaviors that only serve to undermine a healthy and safe home…for all.
The first lesson that parents need to learn in this regard is that nothing works better than leading by example. Short of this, children will almost inevitably and without exception disregard their parents’ cajolings and indications regarding such basic notions as “good” versus “bad” and so on. This is to say that, in order for parents to successfully promote and discourage, respectively, the positive and negative behaviors they observe in their children, they have to practice what they preach. It’s a tough lesson for many parents to learn, but a fundamental and indispensable one.
With that idea firmly implanted inside a parent’s head, it then comes time to develop and elaborate one’s notion of exactly what behaviors are healthy and positive and which not; what should be reinforced and what discouraged. Indeed, it becomes necessary to ask the sobering question: what behaviors need to be supported and encouraged from a young age to let that child grow into a healthy, responsible adult life. Indeed, pondering these basic questions early on is a key part of the process of parenting.
A simple yet very over-arching way to think about this concept is to break it down into three sections: which behaviors are good for the child as a person; which behaviors are good for the family; and which behaviors are (and especially will be when the child grows up and becomes a fully fledged citizen) good for the greater society.
As seen from the first perspective described, that of the welfare of the child itself, parents need to focus on keeping the child constantly active–both mentally and physically. There’s another old saying which makes reference to healthy bodies and healthy minds, and there isn’t a person in the world that can achieve the one without the other.
From the family perspective, it’s important to remember to keep children engaged and on good terms with other family members (the idea of leading by example mentioned above applies here). Nurturing group activities over individual activities at an early age is important in this regard, though the necessity here will depend on the character of the child in question.
Last though most surely not least, from the vantage point of the good of society itself, it’s necessary to impulse a certain sense of responsibility and commitment to the community. Certain parents will use established religious institutions to reach this effect, whereas other people find other ways to get there. Either way, it’s important that parents stress the values of open-mindedness and acceptance of diversity.