| It's amazing, how many parents, years ago, managed | | | | feed 'on demand', others prefer a strict time-table. |
| to successfully rear their children, without the help of | | | | Obviously whichever system works is the one to |
| 'parenting skills'- a concept completely alien until | | | | adopt; there's certainly nothing mysterious or difficult |
| comparatively recently. There's no doubt whatsoever | | | | about it. As the baby settles down, puts on weight |
| that the arrival of a new baby, with all its needs, can | | | | and shows signs of growth, the easier things |
| be overwhelming initially, turning a previously balanced | | | | become. Some babies will always cry more than |
| and structured regime into one of chaos. There are | | | | others which can be distressing for the parent but |
| some parents who find it almost impossible to cope, | | | | again, using common sense, mothers begin to |
| particularly if the mother is unlucky enough to suffer | | | | recognise what's upsetting their baby and so take |
| from post natal depression. Even a mother who is fit | | | | the necessary steps to deal with the problem. Then |
| and healthy is sometimes frightened by the | | | | the baby begins to flourish and, at this stage, can |
| responsibility she bears for attending to the wants of | | | | bring tremendous happiness and joy to the parents |
| a new baby. The mother quickly realises that this little | | | | as they watch their baby develop with its own |
| scrap of humanity is totally dependent on her which | | | | personality. There is nothing more rewarding.Quite |
| can at times seem daunting.However, with the | | | | frankly, most 'parenting skills' are innate, there to be |
| number of books on baby care, plus clinics and | | | | used when called upon. All children need understanding |
| medical facilities available, a new mother has help | | | | and love, particularly love which most parents are |
| undreamed of only fifty years ago. In addition, she | | | | only too happy to display. Always being there for |
| has numerous labour saving gadgets including washing | | | | their children is the most reassuring stand any parent |
| machines, disposable nappies, bottle warmers etc. | | | | can take. Obviously, as a child grows, it's important |
| which all contribute to making her life easier than that | | | | for him/her to discover there are right and wrong |
| experienced by her mother. But it appears all these | | | | ways to behave and responsible parents will ensure |
| advantages are not enough to enable mothers to | | | | their children learn these differences. Encouraging |
| bring up their children without lessons in 'parenting | | | | children to do well is fine as long as parents don't |
| skills'. Incredible as it may sound, the basic ingredient | | | | make the mistake of pushing their offspring into |
| required for bringing up children are two words, | | | | situations which make them unhappy. All children are |
| 'common sense'. It has to be admitted that it takes | | | | naturally curious and this curiosity helps them to learn |
| time to come to terms with the arrival of a new | | | | and should never be discouraged. Equally important, |
| person in a household but it doesn't take rocket | | | | however, no parent should allow their children to be |
| science to learn how to rear that new baby.Common | | | | burdened with unrealistic expectations. Each child |
| sense should provide enough guidance along with the | | | | eventually finds his/her level of intelligence. Forcing a |
| informative books and medical help mentioned | | | | child to exceed that level can be exceedingly |
| previously. Even people with no experience with | | | | damaging to a child's development.All the above |
| babies can successfully bring up a child without | | | | points are simply based on common sense and, if |
| lessons in 'parenting skills'. All these' parenting skills' are | | | | used wisely, will almost always result in producing a |
| after all, when examined, based on common sense. It | | | | child who is well-balanced, secure and able to cope |
| doesn't take much imagination to know when a baby | | | | with the trials and tribulations of growing up. This will |
| needs feeding, changing or is tired. It takes practice | | | | also give huge pleasure and love in the process to his |
| but soon becomes second nature. Some mothers | | | | her parents. Rocket Science? Not at all! |