What is the purpose of parenting?

What is the purpose of parenting? This is an age old question which may seem insignificant at first but is actually extremely important. I feel like the purpose of parenting is to raise your children in loving homes where they can escape the confusion of the world, and grow up in ways that they can be examples to others in the world. You don't have to just take my word on this though. You can also take the word of Dr. Michael Popkin where he said " The purpose of parenting is to protect and prepare children to survive and thrive in the world in which they will live." These to opinions both show ways that being a parent can have a positive impact in a child's life. It is so important to be able to help them change and be strong so they can withstand the temptations of the world and can be prepared for the confusion in which they will live. I will be one of the first ones you meet to admit I don't always understand everything going on in the world, but I am also super grateful for my parents and everything they did to prepare me for life. I am currently living in an apartment with 5 other people from different backgrounds and upbringings as well as going to college. If I didn't have their advice given to me throughout my entire life I would be very lost and confused in this world.

Another important thing with parenting is understanding the basic needs of each individual and doing things to help those needs be met. There are 5 basic needs each person needs. They are contact/belonging, power, protection, withdrawal, and challenge. There are different ways to approach these needs and some of them are better than others. With contact and belonging you have a mistaken approach where you may think they don't need it. They'll be just fine. In reality this leads to some undue attention seeking, or the children go to extreme lengths for that attention and sense of belonging. If you would just freely give them contact or a hug, this may lessen gradually until it disappears. Another way to help with this need is to show them that they can contribute. Allow them to cook alongside you when you make dinner, or clean up after themselves. This helps them to know that they are important and you value what they have to add to the family. With power, they need to know they can control things in their own lives or they may rebel and try to control others. If you allow them to make their own choices and deal with the consequences they will grow up and be able to see the good and the bad of each choice they make. If they don't have protection they may try to take revenge on those who hurt them. This just creates more problems and is never good. You need to be assertive, but show them that they can be forgiven. You need to lead by example because what they see they will do. Sometimes they do something and it makes you so  mad. Instead of acting on that anger, withdraw or take a break and come back when you have calmed down. This will help them to stop avoiding people who make them angry. You need to make sure you come back though or the feelings will just fester. The last item is challenge. They might turn to risk taking, but you can turn it back to skill building like playing the piano or writing their alphabet. If you will ensure the kids have each of these needs met, you will have a much happier family and will be able to see the effect of your parenting every day.