Some people are born to parent. Others, not so much.
Breeding is one thing, but parenting properly is quite another, and often, according to a new study published in the current issue of Scientific American Mind, one does not beget the other.
World renowned child psychologist Robert Epstein is the man behind the new research, which studies the gold standards of parenting. Epstein surveyed 2,000 parents and asked them questions regarding their parenting styles and their children’s behavior. Epstein and his team then used the information to look for correlations between parenting traits and behavior, and a child’s happiness.
According to Epstein, there are certain qualities commonly thought to improve kids’ lives. They include:
Love: Not the warm fuzzy feeling most of us associate with the word, but a genuine desire to make your child happy. Translation: The ability to sacrifice for your kid without complaining about it.
Ability to manage stress: According to Epstein, a parent’s ability to take care of his own mental health issues is vital in being the best provider for your child.
Relationship skills: Epstein maintains that a good parent knows how to foster personal relationships with others, including friends and family.
Two things strike me about this study. First, Epstein admits that because the survey is based on self analysis, there is a certain margin for error, especially since some respondents may not be the best judges of their own behaviors.
Second, two of the three most important qualities of parenting (according to Epstein) have more to do with the way mom and dad function than the way the kid behaves. The study shows that parents who take care of themselves are better able to take care of their children.
Do you have what it takes to provide your child with a safe and stable environment? Apparently, if you are willing to sacrifice for your child, maintain healthy relationships with others, and are mentally sound, then the answer is “yes.”
What do you make of the new study?
Related Articles:
Can Parents Ever Get It Right?
Becoming the Mom You Never Thought You’d Be
Has Becoming a Parent Made You a Better Person?