One way parents can understand their parenting role is to compare that role to being a carpenter equipped with a toolbelt. In many ways, becoming a parent and then growing as a parent is like being issued an imaginary toolbelt to which you continually add new tools as needed so you are equipped to respond appropriately to the many challenges of parenting.
Most parents come equipped with at least some tools. They know a little bit about babies; they know they need to be fed and diapered and cuddled. Some parents start out with more tools; some have fewer tools. Some have had more experience using certain tools, others are less sure about what to use when. The bottom line: all of us can benefit from learning about basic, key tools we need to have in our tool belts and we can all learn new ways to use existing tools.
Written by Diane Wagenhals © 2005 All Rights Reserved
The tips from the Home page change two times each month. They are listed here as they have appeared.