How to Prepare Your Teen Son for Fatherhood

What could be more amazing than being told by your teenage son that he will soon become a father like you? To confound the situation, this information comes at a time while you, yourself, are still learning the ropes of becoming a good father to him.

Fret not, because learning how to be a good father is a lifetime process in itself. Look at it the positive way and think how wonderful it would be to parent your son and grandson as well, and learn in the process. So how would you "parent" your teenage son?


The following are practical methods to parent a teen father:

1. The first thing that he should know is that everything that he does should be done out of love. When all things are done with love then even the most difficult chore would not be a heavy burden hanging on his shoulders, but a joyous act happily done for the loved one.

Once he understands this, then he would view his fatherly responsibilities as less stressful and more enjoyable. The correct frame of mind or perception would always work wonders and attract positive vibes.

2. Teach him the basics of parenting, like how to change diapers, how to prepare feeding bottles, how to burp the baby, how to put him to sleep, etc.

This way when the mother is not around, he would not be at a loss on what to do. Knowing the rudiments of baby care would make him more confident and less stressed out.

3. Ask him the question, "What do you like in me as a father?" Then tell him to follow your good examples and eschew the bad ones.

4. Let him earn his own keep. By allowing him to work, he will learn what great, financial responsibilities a father has. This will teach him also to spend wisely and sparingly.

At the onset, help him prepare his monthly financial budget and then let him prepare the succeeding ones.

5. Be visible during the early days of his fatherhood. He will be needing moral support, and much of that would be coming from you, his parents.

Just by being there and overseeing things would be a great morale booster for him.

Do not overdo it though, because he might assume that you will be there forever to solve his problems. Let him understand that he will be held greatly responsible in rearing properly his own child.

6. Have a heart to heart talk with the mother too. Your son cannot perform the parental responsibilities alone. He needs his partner to be able to do this. The mother has a pivotal and essential role in child rearing. Let her participate actively in rearing her child. Don't deprive her of the chance to be a good mother.

Whatever you decide to do, you must know how to do everything in moderation. Too much of anything could result to disaster and can have lasting, negative effects. Treat your son like a loving father should and he will be a good parent himself.

Photo by Steve Punter

TV Viewing for Our Children, What is Best?

Watching TV is still one of the most common activities that children like to do. Sometimes, there is proper guidance and mentoring about what they should watch and what they should not from adults. Parents should take active part in this, but more often than not, they could not fulfill this obligation as most parents nowadays, are busy with their careers and /or businesses. It is a fact that children are bound to learn more from TV than anyone else because of their immature frame of mind. They could not distinguish properly fantasy from reality. Since parents could not monitor or control what their kids are watching, it is only proper that they should find ways to - at least- filter what their children would be watching on TV.

There are several ways of doing this, and one way is through Direct TV. Through this means you could select the programs that your children could watch. DirectTV comes in very affordable prices and could also come with a DVR or an HD-DVR. There are also several collections from which you can select from.

For those who would like to avail of it overseas, shipping is free. Isn’t that amazing? They have also a direct contact number which is accessible anytime you would like to inquire about their product.

Directv has at least 45 to 200 channels, which provides you with an array of various streams that you could choose from. It’s a dynamic program that any responsible TV enthusiast should not forgo. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know what specific programs your family is watching? It would give you a sense of security, so for your sake and that of your children, look first into this and decide wisely. It is better to play it safe than be sorry later.

Children's Clothing Should be Comfortable

Children's clothes must be comfortable.

When summer, light colors and short sleeves are preferable. Kiddie's sunglasses can be worn also.

Pets for Children

Allowing children to have pets at home would train them to have a sense of responsibility. Try it.

This is Pipoy courtesy of Nikes.

Important Considerations Before Becoming a Parent

Being a parent brings awesome joy and happiness, but at the same time, also great responsibilities that should not be taken lightly. Before you decide to become a parent there are vital considerations that you should take into account.


What are these vital considerations?

1. You and your partner should be emotionally ready.

Being ready emotionally counts a lot in the success of parenting. A correct and a positive outlook of what parenting is all about would determine whether parents would enjoy the responsibility or not.

Oftentimes we hear partners arguing about a pregnancy.
If this argument is not resolved, then it would be a source of fights and misunderstandings later on, even after the baby is born.

If both couples welcome the child, then lesser problems arise because the responsibility would be shared voluntarily.

2. You should also be ready financially.

Sometimes the strain of financial problems caused by a growing family can wreak havoc in your married life. It is actually one major source of friction. Having insufficient money to buy the needs of the child is stressful and brings anxiety. With anxiety and stress come ill-temperedness and therefore fights and misunderstandings.

Making sure that you are able to finance the growing up years of your child is an obligation that should be seriously taken cared of.

A trust fund should also be in place for your child. An educational plan should also be kept in mind when planning for the future of your child.

3. Your basic needs should be met first before thinking about parenthood.

Maslow in his Theory of Human Motivation had established the basic needs for man: food, shelter, clothing, sex, homeostasis and sleep.

Do you have a roof over your head for you to sleep in without being worried? Do you have ample food on the table, to provide enough nutrition so that proper homeostasis occurs in your body?

Do you have sufficient clothes to keep you warm? These are basic needs that have to be fulfilled before you ever think about parenting. You would not want your family living in one apartment to another, would you? Neither do you want them begging for food. I know this is the extreme, but this is a fact that every parent- to-be, should look into. The sex aspect is easily understood with loving couples.

Becoming a parent is a herculean and challenging endeavor. It would benefit you tremendously if you venture into parenting with all the necessary resources that you need. Good luck!

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The Little Boy Who Owns the World

Isn't it amazing that children have this infallible faith and confidence that they can do anything?

Little children are a sight to behold because they bounce with the vibrancy of life. There is no adumbrate of doubt or fear in their lilting steps.

As adults, you need to be childlike once in a while to renew your spirit and soul.

When "Swimming" is a Joy

When a child enjoys immersing himself in water, then he should be taught how to swim early.

What Kind of A Parent Am I?

Sometimes parents are the last to know about their children's problems and at times it maybe too late before they become aware of the problem.

This was my greatest fear when I started rearing my children. So I took extra effort to let them know that their family will always be there for them even when the whole world turns its back; that their family members are the persons that they could truly trust in everything and anything under the sun.

This will then prevent them from going outside and looking for understanding from a group in which they could feel that sense of belongingness.

Angel Cuala of Happy Family Matters has invited me to post about what kind of a parent I am. Although this is late, I opted to post it anyhow.

I am the parent whom my children can consider their mentor, confidante, and friend.

I married early so my kids are not very far from my age.

In fact when my eldest was 25, they thought he was my younger brother, even they mistook him as my husband at times. (smiles).

My only daughter and I, talk up to the wee hours of dawn when she has some love problems.

Like when she had her first crush, we talked all night long and I listened as she told me stories about how intelligent and handsome the boy was.

I knew all her crushes and her boyfriends in her growing up years up to the time that she got married.

My son, in turn had a crush when he was 5 yrs old (I was astonished when he told me this as I thought at that age, he was still incapable of crushes).

I bought a teddy bear for the pretty girl during her birthday and my son was elated.

I am not encouraging them to get serious about their crushes, I know that this is a normal phase of growing up and I am glad I was there for them as I was able to guide them to the right path and simultaneously I want them to enjoy their lives as normal, growing –up kids.

When there was a fraternity in the school where my son was enrolled and he informed me that they were inviting him to join ( to prove his manhood), I was so worried.

When he expressed his desire to join them, I panicked. We had a long, heart to heart talk and I encouraged him instead to join the ROTC officer's training which was then - Thank God!-being conducted in their school.

I pointed out to him that this could develop his physical stamina too. I was able to convince him, and we were both on cloud nine when he passed the rigorous officer's training and became an officer in the University's ROTC.

I became a "parent" figure too at times when it was needed, but I never instituted corporal punishment.

I believe that “honey can attract more ants, than vinegar”, so I tried the positive approach- recognizing them for deeds well done.

They were still young then and any learning should be properly explained to them so they could understand the rationale behind specific decisions.

They themselves changed when they were properly motivated. Decisions regarding things that concerned them were usually done after consultation with them.

Acknowledging their ability to decide properly had reinforced their belief in themselves.

If it was something minor, I allowed them to decide for themselves.


When their decisions were wrong; however, I put my foot down and implemented what was best for everyone.

I had always shown them that I love them unconditionally and this had made them stronger and more confident to go out into the world and meet the challenges that life has to offer.

A positive approach to parenting is always the best choice to allow our children to grow and develop as responsible parents in the future and good citizens of the community to which they belong.

THE SIMPLE WAYS OF CHILDREN

Children are so candid in their innocence. Ask them how you look and they would come up with answers like:

"Your lipstick makes you look like a clown."

"Are you in your undies auntie?"

"You are so colorful, like a Christmas tree."



Try asking them why they love you, they have simple answers:

"Because you hold my hand when we cross the street."

"Because you always have something for me."

"Because you wipe my sweat when it is hot."

"Because you always kiss me before I go to sleep."

I sometimes envy the simple joys of these children; they are satisfied with whatever they have and are happy with whatever they receive.

We should be like these little children.