Important Keys to Successfully Raise Your Children

As a parent, one of your most important tasks is to practice listening to your kids. It may not be always easy. But there are some ideas that will help you focus attention toward your kids.

Being a parent is by no means an easy proposition. It is especially so if you are a divorced, or a single parent. The task of handling children may be fearful and overwhelming. But as a parent I have never let these above feelings infringe on my biggest task - raising my son and daugther. My daughter and son were my top most priority and I am glad that I made them into a priority, as they are now productive, successful young people. I feel happy and proud of the role I had played as their dad.

You may wonder how I accomplished this important task. I always chose to listen to my kids with full attention. It is hard sometimes, not to be thinking of something else and not concentrating. When my daughters needed my attention, I made it my priority to listen to them. Even if I were watching the news for say ten minutes I would turn off the TV and turn to listen to them first.

Being a single parent should gain several service award medals. You tend to set aside your wants and desires, and you tend to stop doing what you are lovingly doing just to focus attention on your kids. My kids were precious to me and the nurturing they often needed was my privilege to provide for. Parenting is usually a sacred trust, so it should be getting your complete attention. Moms who stay at home seem to be the Executive Directors managing our country's incubators. They accomplish gargantuan tasks.

In your case, you may need to go to work and cannot afford the privilege of being at home. This does not mean your kids get any lesser attention. They should still be your primary purpose of life. They need to come first in all your interests, or the effects of your lack of attention will slowly start showing. When a small plant is not attended to, it dies. Not paying attention can harm your kids, so you need to resolve to yourself that they are going to get your full attention.

My assistant once told me how she handled attention towards her children. Her two sons got her full attention all through the day until it was time to go to bed. After that stage, it was 'her time' and the kids cannot make requests unless they were sick. It took some time for some requests like request for a glass of water to die down, as she told them she had given her entire day for them and it was her personal time now. I feel it was good on her part to set the boundaries of attention.

Just as plants do, your children will grow well when they receive your full attention. So they are worth every effort it takes on your part. Once you focus on their well being, your fear and stress of divorce will disappear.