Little Mommy Dolls-Wouldn't a Real Kid Be Better?

Parenting children has just risen to a new level. Now, instead of competing about who has the most up-to-date wardrobe or the fanciest Little Tykes car, your little girl can now boast about her burgeoning mothering skills. Fisher Price's new http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=teachingthefu-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B...">Little Mommy Play All Day doll has some convinced it's a stand in for Chucky. Others argue that dolls are just the natural choice for a little girl; the more realistic they are, the better.  All of the furor makes me wonder why no one thinks of the obvious: is it impossible for you to just find some REAL baby for your kid to play with?  I'm sure there are more than a few people who will be hysterical about this suggestion. Those are probably the same people who watched CBS's show on how to safely care for your infant, where it was recommended that you take your baby with you to the bathroom.  I don't know about you, but it will be soon enough that your little one will be banging on the door while you do your business. Why hasten the process? Of course I'm not suggesting you leave your toddler unsupervised with your neighbor's little one (unless you favor family planning after the fact). But it's far from inconceivable to suggest that she might have more fun, and learn a lot more about mothering from the real thing. And that, my dear friends and neighbors, is the real problem with this doll. We are so focused in this society on pseudo-experiences, when the real thing is so much better. Maybe we need to stop PLAYING at life and get to work on LIVING it.

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Parenting children doesn't get any easier nowadays, does it? A father in Melbourne was accused by the Federal Magistrates' Court of being "too rigid and obsessive," in his demands on his three children. Some of his techniques: insisting his children read to him nightly over the phone, and requiring them to do extra homework above their grade level. It's interesting that the court felt free to rule on this father's homework standards, despite the fact that Australia doesn't place very high in the student score range. Maybe it would be better to outlaw court altogether: writing with all those keyboards is, after all, known to cause wrist strain...

Is Music In Your Genes?

I stumbled on this fascinating video on using genes to make music. While it won't radically change how people are parenting children, it might make you think twice about getting those drum lessons your teenager has been bugging you about...

Don't Quit Now

 

9 Types of Parents: Which Group Are You In?

Are you aware of one of the most powerful parenting tools for parenting children?

 

Most parents assume that all parenting methods are the same. Understanding what parenting style is so crucial, that it beats nearly all of the other parenting tools out there. That's because your parenting style affects everything you do, say, and even think about your children.

 

1. Self-Assured Motivator

If you are this personality type, you are driven to succeed to the fullest. You are a drawn to beauty, and you and your children are always dressed to the tee. You project an aura of elegance and refinement, even under the worst circumstances.

On the unhealthy end, you may be more concerned with flaunting your beauty and superiority. You are competitive, and look down on the less fortunate. For you love and success depend on recognition by others of your superior ability. You often push your children too far, demanding that they perform according to your desires and expectations-no matter what their talents, aspirations, or skills.

2. The Rule Maker

If you are this type of parent, you tend to place great value on following the rules. You focus not on having fun, but in making sure your children do what is right. You place great importance on order and structure and you are careful to train your children to be obedient from an early age.

In the ideal form, you are able to motivate your children by your strong conviction in doing what is right. You are able to accept the fact that children make mistakes, and to take into account the individual differences of children that make a difference in how they behave.

On the other hand, if you are on the unhealthy end of the spectrum, you can be perfectionist, controlling, and impersonal. You have a difficult time tolerating others’ weaknesses or mistakes, and so are often extremely critical of others.

Sometimes you also tend to project your own forbidden thoughts and desires on others. You see everyone else as “bad,” because you are unable to admit to the shame and self-hatred you feel about their own perceived failures.

3. Altruistic Giver

If you fall into this category, your focus is on feelings. Ideally, you desire to love and protect others. You need to be important and appreciated by others, and you crave physical closeness. You are known as someone who can be counted on to help others, no matter what.

You have a tremendous ability to give to others, and so it is natural for you to help your family, neighbors, and even strangers, far beyond what most would be willing to do. You are also able to love your children unconditionally, and unselfishly; you give because you enjoy doing so, not in order to get something back.

If you are on the unhealthy spectrum, you still enjoy giving to your children, but you feel dependent on their approval. It’s sometimes hard for you to discipline your children firmly and consistently, because you are so concerned about them loving you.

Because you have a need to feel loved- but never really feel loved at any given point in time-you are very caught up in trying to gain approval. You may spread yourself so thin helping everyone else out that there is very little time left over for your own family. On the other hand, you can be very overprotective, in an attempt to control your children and ensure that they need you.

Enjoyed reading so far? Then visit our site at http://teachingthefuture.net for the full 9 parenting types!

You are 1 in 7 BILLION people

Sometimes finding great parenting solutions requires taking a look at the big picture. Take a look at this video, and see where YOU fit into the 7 billion people (and growing) that occupy the world.

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This afternoon and evening, as you feed your children, teach your students, or care for your elderly parents, why not reconsider what difference YOU make in the world. If you don't know how...then find out.

What's Your Excuse?

Parenting takes on new meaning when you read about this little fighter:

Ellie lost her hands and legs to meningitis at the age of 18 months. Although she was outfitted with standard prosthetic limbs, they were too painful. She also complained that she couldn't keep up with her twin sister Sophie. She is the youngest ever to be fitted with the new prosthesis, developed by Dorset Orthopedic.

No, this post is not meant to make you feel guilty. But it should make you think: all of those times when you complain about lousy coffee or not having enough money to pay the bills-what's really important in life? And when you turn down a friend's or stranger's request because you don't have the energy or time, is it really true? Couldn't you just give a little bit extra-like little Ellie here-and make the world a better place to be? After all, Ellie has no choice how to lead her life. You do.