Reflections on Parenting Nowadays - Essay Example

I just hope that you are doing fine. Despite those troubles that you are experiencing now, expect things would be better soon. Problems regarding loneliness and your finances will be solved in due time.

Regarding the attitude and manners of your son Jonathan, I have here some thoughts and tips based on my learning. In the presentation made by the Military and Life Consultants (n.d.), the word discipline means to teach, not to punish or control. Harsh discipline like verbal abuse and physical punishment will make it difficult for Jonathan to respect you. Take this in mind, Jason. First, know what stage in life your son is going through. He is now at his pre-teen stage which means he is about to enter puberty. He is most likely to develop physical, hormonal and emotional changes in his life, he is moving towards independence, is a concrete thinker and is sensitive to criticisms as stated by Military and Life Consultants (n.d.). To understand him more, you must spend more time with each other. Try activities that would enhance your father-son relationship like playing ball games and going outdoors which would not demand a lot of cash. Find a time and spend time despite the work schedule. As much as possible, spend your meal time together, Jonathan is the only one you have at this time and you are the only one he has at home.

Aside from spending time together, you can teach him responsibility and discipline by setting rules and consequences. However, you must let him participate in setting the rules in the house. Listen to him, this is very much important. Your rules must include him doing homework regularly, observing curfew time, watching up late only allowed during weekends and keeping his room tidy. After setting the rules, set the consequences and make sure that these penalties should be firm and strictly imposed by you. If rules are not followed, there would be less time on the television, weekends indoors and more chores to be done. These should be firm and non-negotiable. If you see him doing well and becoming responsible and disciplined, do not forget to appreciate what he is doing and give him the rewards he deserves.

You can also learn how to achieve the discipline of Jonathan by visiting and learning through the Positive Discipline site, http://www.positivediscipline.com/. They offer help via books and DVDs. You can also attend their workshops about teaching parents positive discipline way. You can see the schedules and venues of their workshops online. This site and its products would be a great help to you and Jonathan. They offer many ways to effectively discipline your child.

May this letter provide you with thoughts and ways regarding your problem with Jonathan? I hope to hear many good things in the next few months. Here is a quote for you by Plato. “Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each”.