It has been almost 10 years since I became a parent.  Hmmm…maybe not too long for many parents who have ventured on longer journey ….. but to me, it seems like such a long journey especially since I had my second boy. Even though I have worn my parenting hat for almost 10 years, I feel that I am still far from being a perfect parent.

One thing I truly learn is that each child has his/her unique personality and no common parenting style is applicable to different children, and parenting is definitely not easy if rest on the shoulder of one parent. Parenting style that we have inherited from our parents is no longer applicable on our children.

When I was young, my parents never have to worry about my studies, there were no enrichment classes, and no worries about proper nutrition, cyber bullies, about me having demanding needs and ….. My mum would stay at home and her main responsibility then was to watch over me, protect me and manage the domestic matters while my dad would concentrate on his work and leave my development in the good hands of my mum.

Today with an evolving technology and competitive society, parents have to continuously adapt and adjust our parenting style.  Mothers no longer play primary role only in children upbringing. It is amazing that many mothers now have to also play primary role of nurturing kids, managing domestic matters and also excel in career. At least it is the case for me.  Parenting has to become an equal shared responsibility between father and mother and growing importance in a father’s world.

While I adapt and experiment different parenting approach on my 2 boys, continuous learning by BOTH parents is equally important. I would say that it is not uncommon to see couples argue over different approach to kids’ discipline and upbringing.  Though it is not possible to enable couples to see eye to eye overnight on parenting issues, I realize that attending parenting workshop together is very useful. It enables parents to think through our parenting approach, see things from a different perspective, offer a platform for couples to reflect, compromise and at the end it is only with one common objective – for the good of our children’s future and values in life.

Recently, I attended a parenting workshop with Papa Ed on building, empowering and enriching the lives of our kids. Though some pointers are haha…. through trial and error adopted in our daily interactions with our kids, other pointers offer fruits for thoughts. The best is both parents learn and adopt common parenting style based on the child’s personality. Thumbs up!! for an insightful workshop, where there is also parent interactions. 

Papa Ed  and myself are already on our way to sign up for another course.  We remind ourselves to put what we learn in practice. I welcome parents to share parenting insghts on parenting styles with me:)