Do Your Parenting Skills Need a Tune-Up?

The beginning of a new year is a good time to evaluate your parenting skills. What presented the biggest challenges to you during the past year when it came to being a parent? What frustrates you the most about your parenting?

Select one of those challenges, I suggest the one that occurs most frequently, and make it a goal to find some new ways to deal with this challenge

That might involve reading a topical book, taking a parenting class, working with a parenting coach or asking trusted friends and neighbors with children how they have successfully dealt with similar challenges.

Once you have some new insights, set simple goals for achieving results. If you try to make too many changes all at once you may become frustrated and give up. Once you have a plan in place it's time to practice, practice, practice your new skill. With a little perseverance and a lot of patience you will be able to make 2012 a year of better parenting.