Parenting is hard work, but it's not complicated.

In the US, we complicate parenting. There are too many "experts," too many books, too much talk of parenting "styles" and "approaches."

We hover, push, demand and complain about our kids.

Kids that don't meet some half-baked definition of a "good" kid, are seen as broken, "defiant," "oppositional," and in need of "transformations."

Poor kids.

Folks, it's not complicated. Kids are born to grow and change, challenge and test limits. They want to please adults, be loved and love in return.  They are BORN GOOD. Really.

But we adults complicate the good. We measure, define, label, diagnose, have weird expectations for early reading, writing, math, sports.

Let me make this simple for you. 

Accept your child.

For who s/he is.

Accept the good with the weaknesses.

Praise. A lot.

Hug. Often.

Celebrate. Small things.

Pay attention. Your child is talking to you.

Model patience.

Model acceptance.

Sit still. Your kids will come to you.

Save criticism for when things are really, really bad.

Set limits and mean it. Your kids need you to set limits. They know this  intuitively.

When things go wrong, problem solve, don't blame, shame or humiliate.

Acknowledge growth and desire for independence.

Simple: Love, Care, Protection, Acceptance, Limits with Love, Consistency.

Repeat for 18 + years.

Parenting is hard work, not complicated.