Of all the privileges and responsibilities granted to human beings, parenthood is one of the most solemn and far-reaching. While we praise the power of the statesman, the wisdom of the educator, and the genius of the inventor, we often forgets that greater than the combined strength of them all is the power of parenthood. The statement is still true, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.”

Parenthood is powerful, not only because it influences children as they face the issues of life, but also because it influences them for against eternal life. Parenting is not a lowly duty, it is an exalted privilege. It is not a second-class assignment, it is a first-class responsibility.

There are different styles of parenting. The authoritative style is the ideal parenting style. These parents are high on love and high on limits. They express physical affection and ensure that their love is felt. They take time to talk and to listen to their children and are sensitive and supportive. They involve their kids in the decision-making process and teach them to make choices even at the risk of making the wrong ones at times. They establish clearly-defined rules of conduct, and they explain the reasons for their standards so that children can obey intelligently. These parents require conformity, but they also have provision for flexibility.

Although children of school age spend most of their time in school, they learned most of their values. Their behavior is being monitored by the teachers. They have the opportunities to mingle with other children of different behavior but still the parents are the key factor of what their children have become. Unconditional love is what matters most.

By: REGINA F. BAGTAS | Teacher III | Daan Pare Elementary School | Orion, Bataan