Amy Fortney Parks's blog https://www.kidsinthehouse.com/blogs/amy-fortney-parks en Ignore Your Kids https://www.kidsinthehouse.com/blogs/amy-fortney-parks/ignore-your-kids <div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.kidsinthehouse.com/sites/default/files/untitled_2.png" width="451" height="307" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Yes, you read that right.  I have spent 18 years ignoring my kids.</p> <p>• I ignored my kid when he was picking his nose at the Kindergarten graduation while standing right next to the podium<br />• I ignored the piles of pizza boxes, dirty napkins and soda cups littering the floor after the 10-kid sleepover<br />• I ignored the $2000.00 on iTunes charged to my Visa card (well, I didn’t actually ignore that one but…)<br />• I ignored the rolled eyes, stuck out tongues and gagging sounds when I served vegetables at the dinner table<br />• I ignored the undone chores, the tantrums and the threats of bodily harm bantered between siblings</p> <p>The best thing I have ever done has been to ignore my kids.  When I think about the days I have spent busily ignoring my children’s behavior, I feel proud.  Proud, you ask!?  Seriously!?</p> <p>I’ve read all of the parenting books – I mean ALL of them – I have crazy advanced degrees in child development, psychology and education.  But the one thing I know that I have never read or been taught is the #1 thing I tell parents that I most strongly believe –<br />I believe that parents should ignore most of the stuff their kids do, but that they should pay attention to the quality of their character 100% of the time.</p> <p>Character is infinitely more important than nasal habits, trashed basements, always balanced diets and perfect behavior.  Character is the foundation of your family – and your child’s character is the foundation of their future family!  Your actions today are quite literally changing tomorrow.  That’s not something to ignore!</p> <p>I would love to know what you believe about parenting and about your family!  Share your thoughts with me below – I read all of your comments and I want us to share our wisdom!</p> <p>Be Wise!</p> </div></div></div> Mon, 13 Apr 2015 18:04:17 +0000 Amy Fortney Parks 48487 at https://www.kidsinthehouse.com https://www.kidsinthehouse.com/blogs/amy-fortney-parks/ignore-your-kids#comments