Six A to Parenting
Acceptance and Appreciation are two important foundations of the parent-child relationship "House". Acceptance focuses on Being, that the existence of the child itself is of primary importance. Appreciation focuses on effort, that the trying itself is all important whilst the outcome is secondary.
Affection and Availability are two important pillars to the House. It is the child's views of affection and availability that counts. It's not what the parents think they have given but what the child feels he receive.
After a firm foundation is built and strong pillars are added, we them can begin to finish the House with Accountability and Authority as ceiling and roof. While it is important for a House to have proper ceiling and good roofing, we must be careful not to over burden the House with too heavy a top.
Acceptance
-- is to acknowledge that every kid is unique and special
-- is to treasure the child's existence and not what he does
-- helps the kids to accept themselves
-- builds security and self worth
Appreciate
-- is about catching the kids doing something right
-- focuses on efforts and not the end results
-- allows kids to feel good about themselves
-- helps the kid not to grow into a perfectionist
Affection
-- reinforces the presence of both parents and kids
-- can be seen in the awesome power of a simple hug
Availability (LOVE is actually spelled T-I-M-E)
-- is making time to be a hero
-- is spending time (kids do not distinguish quality versus quantity)
Accountability
-- helps develop self discipline and decisiveness by setting limits
-- starts with parents (accountable parents raise accountable kids)
Authority
-- is knowing when to stop so that parents don't drive the kids crazy
