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Parent Behaviors

Parents are the number one influence on children. A child’s genetic makeup affects their own behavioral characteristics and affects how their parents treats them. Children model the behaviors they see or are taught early on. Parents are in control of their child’s environment, especially the first years of life. They choose the environment they feel is best and good for the child. Being a parent is a complex process in which parents and children tend to impact each other. Parenting factors consist of characteristics of caregiver, characteristics of child and parenting styles. There are four parenting styles. The first parenting styles is permissive, not demanding but is responsive. This style is being more of the child’s friend rather than parent. Which causes children to feel like they should always get their way and can struggle with regulating their emotions. The second parenting style is authoritarian, being demanding but not responsive.  “ because I said so “ is the phrase most common with this parenting style. It teaches children to conform to rules and not learning how to problem solve. The third parenting style is authoritative, demanding and responsive. Talking about things is most common within this parenting style. This style considers the child’s feelings and opinions and how to regulate their feelings. The fourth style is uninvolved, not demanding nor responsive. These parents are neglectful. The mindset associated with this style is you are on your own. A parent has qualities and traits that affect their decisions. Parents learn parenting styles and strategies from their own parents and model them. Some child experiences may affect their parenting. Children tend to perform better when their parents are active, attentive, supportive and engaged. Children often come to their parents for advice, opinions and support because they value their parents’ opinions and advice. A strong positive relationship with your child is necessary. It will give you more influence. Without a positive parenting relationship, children can risk depression, anxiety, relationship problems and other negatives. 

Three Examples of Children’s Literature

The first book example is called Infant Guide for New Mothers: The Best Infant Book 0-6 Months by Martha Foster. This book is similar to a handbook for newborns and babies that guides you through before the baby birth, during and after. It tells you how to prepare for the baby, what to avoid, and what you should do and know. The second book is called What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Murkoff. This is also similar to a handbook, this will also guide you and help with learning the types of nursers for babies, tips, advice and is very relatable. It talks basic baby care fundamentals. For example, feeding, vitamins, sleep and crib safety. The third book example is for first time fathers. The book is called We’re Pregnant! The First Time Dad’s Pregnancy Handbook by Adrian Kulp. It helps with the basics of pregnancy, focuses on growing your family, milestone trackers, questions that considered must ask for doctors. All three of these books can be found on amazon. They all focus on the same key ideas and topics, guiding new parents into the parental lifestyle. The books offers tips and advice that may be relatable to the reader and could potentially help. They provide instructions that do not come with the baby. Also, helping maintain a healthy relationship between the parents and focuses on mom and dad’s needs also.

 

 

Three Influencing Developmental Factors

There are three influencing developmental factors that I will be posting about. The first developmental factor is culture. Culture is the social norms and behaviors within human societies including the beliefs, arts, laws, and customs of that specific group. Motherhood is being or becoming a mother. Motherhood within cultures varies around the globe. While motherhood is consistently changing as motherhood continues to increase.What does motherhood look like in different cultures? In Japan and China, mother and the baby stay in the house or at the hospital for the first month after delivery for the safety of the baby. There is quite little to no help from the father during the pregnancy. The father’s role during pregnancy is not going to doctor appointments or pregnancy classes. The father may not be present during the childbirth in some hospitals. For example, in Southern Kenya and North Tanzania, you may also notice the support mothers get from each other within the tribes. It is practiced in the tribal groups of Maasai and Swahili that new mothers are gathered by women the first few days of their pregnancies. Media, movies, and works of fiction do correctly depict motherhood, things that are represented through the media are reality programming. But sometimes they make it more like a fairytale ending and in reality it is not like that for certain mothers. The second developmental factor is nutrition. It is important to maintain a healthy nutritious diet before and during pregnancy. Being under nutrition while pregnant is a substantial risk to the fetal growth. It can affect birth weight, growth, physical, mental and brain development. The best food for infants comes from breastfeeding (breast milk). Breastfeeding provides the correct balance of protein and fat. It protects against diseases, is easier to digest and affordable. Which are all needed for growth and cell function. The third developmental factor is the learning environment. The best environment for an infant/toddler is a loving, calm, attentive and supportive environment. This positive and healthy environment is important because it helps the child improve their abilities. Having a negative environment can negatively affect your infant. For instance, it can impact your child’s speech and language development. A non-positive learning environment can cause anxiety.