I recently took part in a parenting workshop sponsored by Dainfern College, our kids’ school. It was facilitated by Megan de Beyer, a psychologist who has run a number of these “Strong Mothers Strong Sons” courses throughout South Africa and in California.
Although expat life and parenting are strongly intertwined for me (in a sense, one has strengthened the other), I’ve put more detailed notes about this workshop on my parenting blog, Desperate Mothers, for those of you who are interested. But just as a brief overview, here are some of the main messages (in Twitter format, if you will):
- Love your son as a separate person and a gift to you
- Recognize your son’s ownership for his growth
- If you keep your eye on the problem you will continue to bump into it
- Parenting is relationship building
- A good relationship with his family inoculates a boy against harmful behavior
- Stop nagging and simply be present
- Own your emotions
- Accept that there is a place for laziness in your son’s life
- Create times that are free of pressure and conversations that are free of judgment
- Families who play together and pray together will stay together
- Your son’s natural passion and creativity has to come from within him, not from within you
- Don’t let your ego interfere with your parenting
- Be honest about what you’re raising your child to be
To read the entire article, click here.
Note: Megan de Beyer will be back in Johannesburg for another Strong Mothers Strong Sons workshop 10-13th June 2011 at St.Stithians. Please contact her directly at megan@alternet.co.za if you are interested in attending.