Child Development Section 2-1

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Child DevelopmentSection 2-1Parenting and
Families

• Mrs. Moore
• Room 202

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Parenting

• Parenting caring for children and helping them
  grow and develop.
• Parenting requires understanding a childs needs
  and meeting those needs.
• Parenting requires good judgment.
• Parents arent the only ones who need parenting
  skills. Anyone who comes in contact with children
  can benefit from these skills.

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Have Reasonable Expectations

• Why wont you act your age? Children do tend to
  act their age. Its the adults who often dont
  know what to expect from children at different
  stages. Parents also need to remember that each
  child is unique.

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How do you develop parenting skills?

• Classes in child development
• Courses in parenting offered by hospitals,
  schools, or community groups
• Reading books or articles
• Gaining experience by working or caring for
  children
• Ask for advice from other parents
• Observation

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Galinskys Stages of Parenthood
Stage Time period Parents tasks
Image-Making Pregnancy Begin to imagine themselves as parents
Nurturing Birth to age 2 Become emotionally attached to child and may question worth of other priorities
Authority Ages 2 to 4-5 Determine rules and clarify role as authority figure
Interpretive Ages 4-5 to 13 Rethink their roles as parents and decide what skills, values, and knowledge child needs
Interdependent Adolescence Establish boundaries and find disciplinary methods appropriate for teens
Departure Child Leaves Home Evaluate their parenting
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The Challenges of Parenthood

• New responsibilities Parents must consider
  their childs needs before their own. First-time
  parents can feel overwhelmed by their new
  responsibilities. Family, friends, and support
  groups can help.

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The Challenges of Parenthood (cont.)

• Changes in Lifestyle caring for a child takes a
  huge amount of time and responsibility. With
  children, in general, parents have limits placed
  on their personal freedom. Parents must fix
  dinner, bathe the children, spend time with them,
  and put them to bed.

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The Challenges of Parenthood (cont.)

• Emotional Adjustments Many parents go through
  such emotions as
• Fear of not being a good parent.
• Frustration at the loss of personal freedom.
• Worry over money matters.
• Jealousy of the baby and the attention he/she
  is receiving.
• Depression due to exhaustion or physical
  changes of pregnancy and birth.

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The Challenges of Parenthood (cont.)

• Changes in Relationships Some new parents may
  feel overwhelmed and appreciate the help and
  support of the new grandparents. Being new
  parents may make the couple feel closer to their
  own parents. Some parents, though, often resent
  their parents for offering advice because it is
  perceived as criticism.

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The Challenges of Parenthood (cont.)

• Employment Some parents stop working or cut
  back on their hours to care for their children.
  Some employers have policies to help working
  parents such as daycares, flexible work hours,
  part-time work, or work-at-home options.

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Rewards of Parenthood

• While it can be challenging, parenting brings
  many joys and a sense of accomplishment. It can
  also strengthen an already strong marriage.

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Making Decisions About Parenthood

• Emotional Maturity People who are emotionally
  mature are responsible enough to consistently put
  someones needs above their own needs. They are
  secure enough to devote their attention to a
  child without expecting anything in return. They
  can also control their anger when a child cries
  for a long period of time.

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Making Decisions About Parenthood (cont.)

• Desire for Parenthood People should not see
  having children as a means to solve problems such
  as self-esteem or marital problems. Not all
  reasons for wanting children indicate a readiness
  for parenthood.

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Making Decisions About Parenthood (cont.)

• Health Considerations Before pregnancy, it is
  best for both prospective parents to have a
  medical check-up. Some medical problems can
  affect the health of the baby or the parents
  ability to care for the child. Also, if a mother
  is under 17 or over 35, pregnancy is riskier for
  both the mother and baby.

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Making Decisions About Parenthood (cont.)

• Financial Concerns Raising a child is
  expensive. It requires the financial resources to
  pay for clothes, food, health care, equipment,
  and other expenses. Couples should consider the
  costs of having a child BEFORE they have one.