The Responsibility of Both Parents

What we learn about parenting, mostly, comes from experience. Learning through trial and error, having help from friends and family, and reading books and articles about what a "good" parent should do.

When divorce is involved, you don't have the time or experience to rely on for education. But there's always a place to start. And remember, your attitude towards your children must always be a positive one.

The first is thing to consider is to be encouraging  the children (as hard as it may be) to love and respect the ex-spouse. The second is discipline; any two parents will differ in the degree and method of the proper discipline of children.

• Discipline is teaching responsibility and self-control.
• Use an authoritative parenting style - Be warm, nurturing, and respectful of your children.
  - Encourage open communication and seek children's input.
  - Be sensitive to their needs and opinions.
  - Provide them with clear rules and expectations.
  - Be the person who is ultimately in charge.
• Reward good behavior with praise, smiles and hugs.
• Ignore annoying misbehavior.
• Use "time-out" for dangerous, destructive or obnoxious behavior you can't ignore.
• Impose consequences when rules or limits are broken.
• Tangible rewards can be a powerful teaching tool to change undesirable behavior.
• With difficult teens, use the "no one loses" problem solving method or contracting.
• The foundation of good discipline is a good relationship and mutual respect between parent and child.

Learn more by taking the online Florida parenting course.