Parenting Tips

Personal growth is an important part of being a good parent. So often we spend so much time and energy focused on our child that we neglect our own personal development. To be our best we must also focus on ourselves as well. Personal growth and personal development are often only talked about in the area of a job outside of the home but it is important in the home as well. Personal growth and personal development are important parenting tips!

Here are 2 practical parenting tips to take toward personal growth and personal development.

1. Never stop learning.

We act and interact with the world around us based on the knowledge, experience, and understanding that we have. It is unrealistic to think we will change anything without changing one of those things.

To grow we must gain new information. This can happen by reading a book, listening to a podcast, interacting with those around us with more experience, to name a few. But the sky is the limit to how we can grow in this area.

I have made it a habit to ask questions when I am with people who are more successful than me. “What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are at?” or “Do you have any wisdom you would like to share with me?” I have learned many things over the years just by asking questions and listening. Listening is an important part that is often overlooked. We all like to hear ourselves talk. But when was the last time you were silent and just listened when in the presence of those that have something we can learn?

Much of parenting is teaching or imparting to our children. It is our job to raise them up to be productive members of society. To do that we have to teach them how.

In all my years of teaching, I have learned this truth… You cannot teach what you do not know and you cannot impart what you do not have.

If I want to impart an inheritance to my children I must first have something to give them. I must invest in myself so that I can invest in my child.

One basic and practical thing that we can all do is to read a personal development or personal growth book for 20 minutes a day. If you do not have the time to read for 20 minutes you can get the book as an audiobook and listen to it while you drive or cook dinner. You can start with reading my book, Intentional Motherhood. You can get your copy by clicking here.

Never use the excuse that you are too busy to read a book. That is all that is. An excuse!

There are so many good books out there but here are a few of my favorites.

When I was a young mother one of my favorite books was Parenting with Love and Logic by Foster Cline and Jim Fay. It is an excellent resource for personal growth in the area of parenting. You can get your own copy by clicking here.

Another book that really helped me as a wife was Created To Be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl. You can get your own copy by clicking here.

2. Be creative

Do something creative every day.

Far too much of our daily activities are utilizing the left side of our brain. Computers and cellphones consume our lives. Human interaction and creative activities are often neglected. This is over stimulating the left side of our brains.

The left side controls things like logic, facts, thinking in words, math, and analytical and methodical thoughts. The right side controls things like feeling, imagination, intuition, creativity and artistic expression.

Developing both sides of our brain is an important part of personal growth and personal development. It helps keep us balanced and encourages us to develop in other areas of our lives. Being in touch with the creative side of our brain helps us in our relationships with others. It also helps develop intuition which is an important part of decision-making skills.

There are many online tests you can do to determine which side of your brain is dominant but the one I recommend can be found by clicking here. This can give you an idea of which side of the brain you need to develop.

I love to quilt. I don’t have a lot of time for that activity these days but when I need a creative break I love to get out the fabric and sewing machine and make a masterpiece. It brings me great joy to make something beautiful for my family or friends.

If this is an area that you struggle with just remember that it isn’t about how artistic you are. The very act of being creative is good for your brain. Take the time to find a creative outlet that you enjoy.

If you would like more parenting tips click here for my free guide, 3 Powerful tips that will transform your mothering overnight.

You can also click here to buy a copy of my book, Intentional Motherhood. 

Personal growth and personal development

Personal growth and personal development are keys to being the best parent you can be. Find ways to grow and develop every day and help your child to do the same.