The New Parenting Approach that ODD and ADHD Parents Need
Have you ever literally prayed to God for a better way to raise your children?
Today, we're going to explore different parenting styles and introduce a unique approach you may not have heard of before: "Creating Champions for Life."
Understanding Traditional Parenting Styles
When it comes to parenting, there are four commonly recognized styles:
Authoritarian: This style is strict and controlling. Parents set rigid rules and expect unquestioning obedience. Discipline often involves physical consequences or severe restrictions.
Authoritative: Known as a balanced approach, authoritative parenting combines high expectations with warmth and responsiveness. Parents enforce rules but also support their children emotionally, using logical consequences rather than physical punishment.
Permissive: Permissive parents are indulgent, often overcompensating for what they themselves lacked in childhood. They tend to do everything for their children, leading to a lack of discipline and responsibility in the kids.
Neglectful: This hands-off approach involves minimal guidance or attention. Neglectful parents often provide the basic necessities but are emotionally distant, resulting in children who may struggle with self-esteem and behavioral issues.
These styles are widely discussed and practiced, but they all share a common flaw: they focus on controlling the child rather than empowering them.
Introducing Creating Champions for Life
We are Bonnie and Thomas Theoda, and while we are not psychologists or doctors, we offer a different spin on parenting based on personal development and the universal laws of success.
The core idea behind "Creating Champions for Life" is that children, like seeds, have an inherent blueprint to grow and thrive. The environment we provide as parents plays a crucial role in how this potential is realized.
Imagine a pine cone: it holds the blueprint for a pine tree. If left in the hot sun, it dies. If overwatered, it dies. If it has to break through cement, it may grow weaker but still becomes a tree. Similarly, your child will grow into an adult regardless, but the quality of their adulthood—whether they develop behavior disorders or thrive with self-control and confidence—depends largely on their upbringing.
The Fifth Element in Parenting
Creating Champions for Life introduces a fifth element in parenting. Beyond the four traditional styles, we focus on empowering children rather than controlling them. Here’s how we differentiate our approach:
Empowerment over Control: Instead of dictating every aspect of our children’s lives, we guide them to develop independence, self-discipline, and responsibility.
Personal Development: We incorporate principles of personal development to help children build self-confidence, focus, and resilience.
Positive Environment: We create a nurturing environment that fosters growth, much like planting a seed in fertile soil. This involves setting clear expectations, providing consistent support, and encouraging positive behavior.
My Journey
I used to be an overcompensator, wanting to give my kids everything I didn’t have growing up. Despite my best efforts, my children struggled with feelings of unworthiness and rebellion. I realized that traditional parenting methods were not enough.
By integrating personal development principles, we transformed our parenting approach. Our children began to thrive, developing the self-confidence and discipline they needed to succeed.
Parenting is one of the most challenging yet rewarding journeys we embark on. Traditional parenting styles offer valuable insights, but they often emphasize control over empowerment.
Creating Champions for Life provides a new perspective, focusing on guiding children to unlock their full potential. By fostering an environment of growth and independence, we can help our children become confident, responsible, and successful adults.
