by Steve Glenn

Created on: April 14, 2009

One of the worst disservices a parent can do is to ruin their child's growth and self confidence. Many children grow up in dysfunctional homes and neighborhoods because the parents have encountered a great deal of misfortune and struggle in life. The parents have lost hope and the child suffers all kinds of emotional turmoil. But growing up in a dysfunctional household doesn't mean that a child shouldn't have a chance for a successful life. There are many success stories of children who have been raised by single parents and who have grown up to be great roll models in their communities as well as society as a whole. No matter what a parent's misfortune in life the best thing she can do is to empower her children's growth in social ability and self esteem.

Most parents really desire for their children to make something of themselves, but as a result of getting caught up in the daily grind, those parents make several dangerous mistakes in raising their children. Firstly, parents must not ignore their children. Successful parenting means spending a great deal of time with your children even if the situation isn't popular with the child. Taking a child to the laundry matt or groceries store are good ways to spend time with your children and teach them about life. If you consider every moment with your child as a lesson about life, there will be many opportunities presented to you in the course of the day. However, good teaching must come with good timing and awareness. Be aware when opportunity present itself so that you can teach your child. For example, be aware when the grocery store clerk has a bad attitude so that you can teach your child to be patience with people. Be aware when an aggressive driver runs through the red light, so that you can teach your child to obey traffic laws and always be aware of pedestrians. These are all teachable moments at the right times. However, be discreet and gentle when teaching your child. You don't always want to sound like a mobile instructor, always screaming lessons in the face of your child.

Secondly, parents must teach their children good community values. Many children in the community are lazy, careless, and disrespectful to adults in the neighborhood. Parents must teach children to value their neighbors and to acknowledge their presence with Mr. or Mrs., especially small school age children. It is shameful that many children talk to adults as if they are adults themselves. They are rebellious and snobbish. They become

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