Creating Your Parenting Philosophy

Parenting Philosophy

Throughout the weeks of this course, students have an opportunity to gain knowledge and

insight into many aspects of parenting.  For this assignment, students are to utilize that

knowledge and any other child development or parenting knowledge they possess to develop a

philosophy of parenting.  When writing this paper about your philosophy, keep in mind your

own value system and beliefs about raising children.  Incorporate what you have learned in

this class to explain your philosophy.

Parenting Philosophy

Offer examples of situations that might come up when parenting children and explain how your

philosophy would be applied in those situations.  This paper should be 2 pages long, double-spaced, no wider than one-inch margins, no

larger than 12-point, New Times Roman style font.  Proofread carefully; appropriate grammar

and spelling are expected, and points will be deducted for more than 3 errors.  This paper is worth200 points and is due Friday, April 18th.

Parenting Philosophy

You will be compiling your philosophy based on topics covered in class. You will have

one paragraph per chapter we have covered. Remember, there is no right or wrong answer. This is YOUR philosophy of what kind of parent you want to be or

think parents should be. Do not feel limited or restricted in your thoughts and feelings.

Guiding Healthy Development

• “I believe a parent is…..”• “I believe….about teaching children about

media influences, honesty, work ethic because...”

• “I believe in taking the ____________ approach when choosing a parenting style because….”

• “I believe you should discipline a child by…because…”

Theories and Guidelines

• “I believe, as a parent, you should/shouldn’t be familiar with developmental theories such as…because…”

• “I believe a parent is/isn’t responsible for meeting the human needs of…because…, and if they are responsible, they should meet these needs by doing…because…”

Family Concerns

• “I believe that when it comes to balancing roles between work and home, parents should…because…”

• “I believe, when it comes to fighting or arguing between parents, parents should…because…”

• “I believe that when divorce is the option, parents should…because…”

• “I believe, when talking to children about death and serious illness, parents should…because…”

Children’s Education and Health

• “ I believe when a child is ill, a parent should…because….”

• “I believe, when a child is born with special needs, a parent is/should…because….”

Parents and Their School-Age Children

• Develop your philosophy regarding education and your child. – Private or public education?– Is college a must?– “ I believe…..about children and education

because…..”

Parents and Their Teens

• Develop your philosophy regarding talking to your children about pertinent issues to teens like sex, drugs, alcohol, and dating.– Abstinence or Sex Education?– Provide contraceptives or no?– Drugs ok with limits or completely prohibited?– Alcohol under your supervision or not at all?– Dating? What age?– “I believe parents should/shouldn’t talk to their

children about dating, drugs, alcohol, and sex, and when they do, they should….because….”

Family Crises

• “I believe that when it comes to topics of family crisis, such as substance abuse, child or domestic abuse and neglect, and suicide, parents should…., because….”