I had amazing parents, and that undoubtedly did me a lot of good. On the other hand, there were children, who were brought up in the neighborhood with great discipline, yet they ended up becoming terrors to society. It is likely that there was no holistic parenting, whereas the children's bad values might have been influenced by the corrupt environment. Come to think of it, we grew up in a ghetto, and a parent certainly has to do more in an environment of this nature.
MY IDEA OF A GOOD PARENTING
Where I come from, it is common to experience a one-sided upbringing that prioritizes discipline over everything else. Although such a pattern of parenting is gradually becoming outdated, our upbringing was not far from that. If I may opine, good parenting has to be holistic, paying attention to every necessary aspect of a child's development. If that is the case, then discipline is just one aspect. Since parental values involve principles that guide a parent's decision-making towards their child, I think a parent who fails to adopt a holistic approach towards their child will most likely fail in making proper decisions. By implication, such a parent may not be able to imbibe the right values. In the attempt to establish these values, it is possible that one may fail even when they have done their best. It is all about paying close attention to the child, understanding them, and realizing the actions to take, as well as when to act. If one fails to understand the child, they may not be the best parent to them.
THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD PARENTAL VALUES
Whether or not a child will turn out well is sometimes determined by the decisions their parents make. I am a living example of that. Although I advocate for holistic parenting, I do not undermine the importance of discipline in a child's upbringing. Practicing holistic parenting will help one take actions rightly regarding discipline, yet discipline must not be undermined.
Aside from discipline, holistic parenting has a way of building up a child for challenges that lie ahead. Being able to rightly instill good values and norms in a child is equivalent to giving them all the tools they need to navigate what is to come. It is like preparing the child for life in society as a whole.
The emotional life of the child is also important here. A good parental upbringing will no doubt model and teach emotional intelligence, instilling the child with positive habits and attitudes.
CONCLUSION
Parenting is certainly not an easy task, but it requires dedication and commitment. Family remains the foundation of every society, and the quality of family formation determines the well-being of the society. It is all in the parents' hands after all...
