Principal Kafele’s 50 “I's”  For Effective Parenting

Copyright © 2006 by Baruti K. Kafele

 

 

Principal Kafele Commentary – It is a known fact that a child’s first teachers are his/her parents.  As a parent, there is such a tremendous amount of work that must be done and accomplished at home in order to ensure that academic excellence occurs in the classroom.  The work that is done at home lays a solid foundation for success in school.  As parents, you must therefore do all that you can as “educators” in your homes in an effort to increase the probability that your children maximize their potential while in the classroom.  At a bare minimum, you must ensure that your children engage in the practice of independent reading and writing on a daily basis.  You must require that your children read, read, read, read and read on a regular, continual and daily basis.  You must also require that your children write, write, write, write and write on a regular, continual and daily basis.  When children are engaged in sustained reading and writing, the prospects, possibilities and opportunities for success are literally endless!

 

Below are my 50 “I’s” for effective parenting.  I strongly encourage all parents to review, study, internalize and implement this list of affirmations.  Implementation of the affirmations of this list give African American and Latino children a solid foundation for achieving academic excellence.

 

1.               I am a parent to my children.

2.               I am my children’s first teacher.

3.               I require my children to read books and newspapers daily.

4.               I require my children to write daily.

5.               I read to my children.

6.               I require that my children read African and Latino-centered literature towards their life long study of their history.

7.               I educate myself in order to educate my children about their history.

8.               I teach my children about the struggle and their roles in the struggle.

9.               I talk to my children about having pride in who they are as young African Americans and  Latinos.

10.          I conduct myself as a role model for my children – I lead by example.

11.          I remind my children that they represent me at all times.

12.          I spend quality time with my children

13.          I communicate with my children regularly – both speaking and listening.

14.          I have high expectations for my children, despite my own setbacks.

15.          I constantly encourage my children to search for the genius and creativity that lies within them.

16.          I constantly challenge my children to achieve excellence.

17.          I hold my children accountable for achieving academic excellence.

18.          I strive to motivate, educate and empower my children daily.

19.          I do not accept mediocrity from my children.

20.          I tell and show my children that I love them.

21.          I don’t ridicule and demean my children.

22.          I refrain from negativity in my interactions with my children.

23.          I take my children to African and Latino-centered educational programs and activities.

24.          I expose my children to a wide variety of activities

25.          I assist my children with their homework.

26.          I review my children’s homework.

27.          I require that my children study - even when they do not have homework.

28.          I attend functions and meetings at my children's school.

29.          I go to my children's school to meet and interact with teachers and administrators.

30.          I encourage my children to believe in themselves.

31.          I assist my children with determining a purpose in life.

32.          I assist my children with understanding that they have an historical obligation to achieve.

33.          I encourage my children to be determined to desire success from within.

34.          I encourage my children to develop a vision for success.

35.          I require that my children are goal-oriented.

36.          I talk to my children about societal issues & problems as they relate to individual and community empowerment.

37.          I talk to my children about expected and acceptable behavior both in and out of school.

38.          I discipline my children appropriately.

39.          I teach my children positive values.

40.          I teach my children about household responsibilities.

41.          I teach my children conflict resolution.

42.          I teach my children coping and survival skills.

43.          I monitor my children's media exposure.

44.          I monitor who my children spend their time with.

45.          I provide for my children while not depriving them of their needs.

46.          I teach my children about good hygiene and grooming.

47.          I monitor my children's attire and overall appearance and have a say in what they wear and how they wear it.

48.          I talk to my children about respecting adults.

49.          I talk to my children about proper relations with the opposite gender.

50.          I talk to my sons about respecting, valuing, appreciating and getting along with other young men.