Linda & Richard Eyre: Proactive parenting builds stronger kids and families

Most parents say their children are their highest priority and that parenting is among the most important things they do. Yet, they often approach parenting in a reactionary and defensive way. Instead, all of us need a proactive offense!

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Most parents say their children are their highest priority and that parenting is among the most important things they do.

Yet they often approach parenting in a reactionary and defensive way.

In fact, during our 30 years of writing and speaking to parents and families all over the world, three of the most prominent parenting models, be they intentional or unintentional, are:

• The all I can do is keep them fed, sheltered and clothed model. Many parents are so burdened and busy that all they can do is try to meet the physical needs of their kids.

• The general contractor model. Like a general contractor who lets the plumber and electrician and carpenter do all the work, parents often farm everything out to the teachers, the coaches and the tutors and dont actually do much parenting themselves.

• The wait for a problem and hope I can solve it model. So many parents just drift along, thinking things are OK with their kids and that if there is a problem, they can buy a parenting book and find out how to handle the situation.

Instead of these passive approaches, parents today need a proactive parenting model, one where they set and strive to meet specific objectives for and with their children. In fact, we all need a model much like a business plan, where we clearly define what we want and then come up with a plan and set aside the time and the priorities to make it happen.

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Linda & Richard Eyre: Proactive parenting builds stronger kids and families