Unit Four: Nurturing a Family Unit
Chapter 11: Parenting Decisions
Focus Topic: Qualities That Make Good Parents
Healthy Reasons for Parenting
To extend the family to a new generation and share the future with a younger life.
Continued
Healthy Reasons for Parenting
To enjoy the personal experience of having children. Sharing love with a
child and nurturing him or her to adulthood is important to both parents.
Unhealthy Reasons for Parenting
To gain the prestige of having children.
To yield to pressure from grandparents who want what their friends have.
Continued
Unhealthy Reasons for Parenting
To show physical competence and prove the arrival of adulthood.
To gain personal power.
Continued
Unhealthy Reasons for Parenting
To gain love. Some parents believe
that a child will bring the love and affection they need.
Others believe that a child will improve their marriage.
Realistic Expectations
The decision to parent should be based on realistic expectations. What are the child’s needs? What does it take to meet
those needs? What additional needs
materialize as a child grows and develops?
Qualities Needed by Parents
Emotional maturity The emotions of the
parents must be a stabilizing influence in a child’s growth and development.
Continued
Qualities Needed by Parents
Unconditional love Parents should love
their children under any circumstances.
Continued
Qualities Needed by Parents Flexibility
Parents must be able to change their relationship with the child as he or she grows and develops into an independent adult.
Continued
Qualities Needed by Parents Responsible behavior
Parents must make choices that will help a child develop fully in all areas of life.
Signs of Responsible Parenting
Providing mature role models.
Continued
Signs of Responsible Parenting
Providing a nurturing environment.
Continued
Signs of Responsible Parenting
Providing a secure environment. Meeting a child’s needs for food, clothing,
shelter, medical care, and safety.
Continued
Signs of Responsible Parenting
Providing a stimulating environment.
Providing Satisfaction
One benefit of having children is they can give parents satisfaction.
Promoting Maturity
Another benefit of having children is they help parents mature.
Recognizing Human Weaknesses
A third benefit of having children is they help parents recognize their human weaknesses.
Enjoying Leisure Time
A fourth benefit of having children is they can help parents enjoy family leisure time.
Feeling Hopeful About the Future
A fifth benefit of having children is they can give parents a reason to look forward to tomorrow and beyond.
Focus Question
How can couples tell if they are candidates for becoming good
parents?
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