Raising Responsible Children - Parents as Mentors Parents understand that it is their responsibility to teach moral values and socially acceptable standards to their children. They must raise them to be socially responsible adults. All this is true. Up to a point. Gradually, as the child's unique identity begins to emerge, the parent needs to step to the side and play a different role in the life of their child. Successful parents intuitively understand this need to develop habits similar to those listed in the 10 Golden Rules to guide their own children's development and build their self-esteem. Child-centered parents may invite other family members, friends, experts, or others to act as role-models, or points of inspiration, at different stages of their child's life. Sometimes these people who act as guides, coaches, or mentors are called Godmother or Godfather. They may already be familiar to the child and may already be playing an active role in the life of the child. The keyword here is "active," for successful child-rearing is not passive. Highly effective parents, who successfully raise their children to become responsible adults will understand that the 10 Golden Rules are a learning and transforming process that will change both them and their children in a positive way. The process will deepen and strengthen family relationships where the love is already strong. It will remind families in conflict that underneath the chaos and turmoil there is a solid bedrock of love.
About the Author: Alexia Parks is the author of 12 books, former correspondent for the national desk of The Washington Post, a New York City publisher, named "one of 50 people who matter most on the Internet," by Newsweek magazine, and co-founder of the 10 Golden Rules Workshop TM. Her book, An American GULAG, Secret P.O.W. Camps for Teens has been quoted in Time magazine, the New York Post, Glamour, the Montel Williams TV Show, and other media, and called a "must read" by the director of the American Bar Association's (ABA) Center on Children and the Law. She is the executive director of the non-profit: TheEducationExchange.org, and co-founder of the 10 Golden Rules (tm) Workshop, an national training program for teachers, counselors, administrators, and parents. WORKSHOPS: Educators, administrators, counselors, social workers, and others who take part in this training program, then teach its 10-step, skills-based mentoring program to parents, may receive continuing education credit for the training program. To schedule a training program, call (303) 443-3697, or send email to: alexia@votelink.com