What Every Child Needs
by Jim Schmotzer2/22/2008 4:01:24 PM
Login to leave ratings
Average Rating : 0.0
1. To be loved and nurtured.
“What is it my child really needs?” Parents might ask themselves this question on a daily basis. If we look to the media, we will soon find ourselves bombarded by the advertising world’s promise that happiness and fulfillment are within reach if we only make the correct purchase.
Somehow in the midst of such pressure, parents need to remember the most important gifts they can give their children– those that will help them develop into balanced, loving mature adults– are gifts that can’t be bought. Parents should seek to focus their energies to help children acquire and enjoy the following enduring, life enriching gifts.
1. To be loved and nurtured. To have parents who express deep appreciation and concern for them, no matter what life brings. To be hugged and touched in caring and affirming ways.
2. To be parented. To know that their parents have made a commitment to work for their well-being thereby providing stability and security.
3. To be a part of a family. To have an enduring relationship that crosses the boundaries of time and distance. This includes a sense of bonding and belonging.
4. To be taught through healthy discipline. To learn the difference between right and wrong. To understand responsibilities, privileges, trust and consequences. To be protected from the extremes of abuse and neglect.
5. To be a child. To explore and experience life trusting that their parents are lovingly overseeing their safety and providing for their needs.
7. To be encouraged and guided.
6. To enjoy life. To know that life is good and to be enjoyed. To know how to play and have fun.
7. To be encouraged and guided. To be taught healthy values and given skills and opportunities to practice them in daily life. To become mature through acquiring decision making skills. To learn that life is to be lived in wholesome balance, keeping each aspect of who we are in perspective.
8. To learn endurance. To be equipped to withstand the difficulties and disappointments of daily living. To understand the importance of maintaining healthy relationships with family and friends who can help during tough times.
9. To learn to care for others. To know how to work and play with others, keeping one’s individual sense of importance in balance. To know how to show respect and kindness to others. To be able to sacrifice for others.
10. To be listened to and understood. To know that what they say and feel is important to their parents.
11. To experience a sense of accomplishment. To identify their talents and understand how to build and use them. Also to learn that by concentrated effort they can find success in a variety of areas.
Although these gifts cannot be purchased they are worth all the parental effort, commitment and action required to secure them. These gifts will help a person both to survive difficult times and accomplish great things. Each will help provide children with true security, direction and hope that will allow them to experience the full life that each parent desires for his or her child.