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Becoming a parent is a big step. You are taking charge of another life. You are responsible for that little person from day one. Day one can be the day that baby is conceived, the day the baby is born, or the day a child is adopted. One way or another, this child will come into your life and will look up to you for reassurance, guidance, and love. So what does it take to be a parent?

Love is the most important aspect of being a parent. Every child needs to be loved unconditionally. Children need to know that there is someone they can turn to. The more a child is loved, the more that child will grow to love life and the things around him or her.

Responsibility is a must. As children grow, they learn from things around them. If they live in a home that is always filthy and never cleaned, they are going to be less likely to pick up after themselves. A parent must take the responsibility of teaching children chores, schedules, how to talk, walk, what is good to eat, how to stay healthy through exercise, and to have fun.

Financial support is needed for any new addition to the family. A new baby or even an adopted child is a big financial undertaking. This child is going to need food, clothes, a bed, schooling, and much more. Not everything has to cost and there is help out there for things one may need, but a child still adds to the financial burden of a home.

Understanding is crucial. Always telling a child he or she is wrong is going to send mixed signals. Children thrive on attention where ever they can get it. By providing lots of negative attention, children will be more likely to act up. Try to understand that your children are learning as they grow up. Treat them like they are two, or five, or thirteen. Do not treat them like they are older just because you think they should act better then they do. Step down to there level and talk with them. Find out what is wrong and find a solution together. Try to understand things from your child's point of view.

Tough love is one of the hardest things that parents need to enforce. Many times a punishment will hurt a parent worse then it does a child, but without the punishment the child will not learn. It is crucial to correct bad behavior even if it upsets a child. Children are going to rebel and pull on your heart strings. They can make you feel down right awful for sending them to their room. By being tuff and not letting up on timeouts and such, a child will learn right from wrong.

Love, responsibility, financial support, understanding, and tough love are just a few of the factors to being a parent, but they are extremely important. A child needs to be loved and know it. A child needs to feel safe and that there is someone to turn to. A child will learn and grow in any environment so let's make it a good environment.

Learn more about this author, Sas Freeman.
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