11
2010
Understanding Parenting As If Our Future Depends On It
Much of my focus recently has been on educating about the importance of parenting to support optimum baby brain development. The deeper I delve into research that has, in most cases, been around for many years, the more it is validated for me that what we do as parents/caregivers of the very young is inextricably linked to quality of life for us all. It’s interesting to me that so little connection is made in our mainstream media. It’s as if tantrums, behavioral challenges, ADD/ADHD, teen angst, our overflowing prisons, and the myriad of social problems that we have arrive from another planet, are some external ill that is foisted upon us, and are reason to consult ‘experts’ or other resources outside ourselves. It’s my belief that 90+% of these issues could be addressed in very early childhood. Preparing for and supporting ourselves during this monumental task would make a world of difference, not just for you and your child, but for all of us who live in this society and world with you.
Without getting into the highly private, intense, and controversial areas of parenting styles, I still see an enormous benefit to educating about the critical impact, for life, of what a baby and toddler experiences in the 0 – 3 age range. While we can focus on a variety of ‘superficial’ issues, one parenting method over another, choices that seem vital to the parenting style we want to endorse, we seldom hear or have an open discussion of the impact of subtle nuances on our baby’s wellness. Even amongst ‘experts’, the importance of clarity of our own values and priorities before we parent is seldom discussed.
Learning to recognize, love, and accept that which is difficult, unacceptable, and challenging within ourselves is a fundamental precept to parenting. Support for that process is vital and easily makes the difference between a parent who suceeds and one who is overwhelmed.
Please encourage all those you know who are comtemplating parenthood, are already parents of babies/toddlers, and who are caregivers to seek their most trustworthy parenting voice from their own essence. As always, I welcome your questions and comments.
Hi Ingrid,
I feel the same you do – we must think about, from day 1, that everything we do with/say to with our children is teaching them….and that has everything to do with their future. Without getting too much into it, sometimes I watch those parenting programs where a nanny will come in to help iron out whats not working with the family – I usually end up thinking “are you kidding me?” Parents really should remember that children’s brains are like little video recorders, everything parents do and say is being “recorded” for “playback” later on. So, your right – 90+% of issues CAN be addressed in early childhood – it’s just that most parents don’t address them then…or unfortunately, sometimes not at all. Thanks for a great reminder the importance of the task we have as parents.
Ingrid,
I can not agree more. It is critical that EVERYONE understands the impact early brain development has. We all benefit from children with well developed brains.
It continues to amaze me, as you pointed out how little this information is in mainstream media.
This is exactly why I do the work I do. I have created braininsights in an effort to make this common knowledge!
I commend you for this valuable blog post. I will be sharing it with others.
Thank you for your contribution to creating greater awareness of the impact of early development and the difference we can all make.
Deborah
Thanks, Deborah. I am “on a mission” to bring this message to everyone who will listen.
Please contact me at any time if you see any ways we might collaborate.
Ingrid
303.776.8100
Ingrid,
We cannot solve our country’s social problems regarding children, i.e. obesity, dropout rates, low motivation, herd mentality, low self esteem, etc. until we begin at the beginning – Parenting. Until then we are treating the symptoms, not the disease. I am adding your web site to my blog http://www.peekabooparenting.com. You are on target and so am I. Now all we have to do is create a method by which we are able to cure the disease by starting at the bottom and working our way up – any ideas? Every tree begins with a seed!
Sandra Gunn
Thanks, Sandra! You’re right about ‘every tree begins with a seed’ and I’m passionate about educating all ages about the importance of nurturing parenting.
Your book, ‘Peek-a-Boo, I See you!’, is an absolute gem, and I’m enjoying reading it very much. Thanks you, and let’s be in touch about ways to collaborate.
Ingrid Johnson