You never stop being a parent. You begin with the sleepless nights: diapers piled high, formula, bottles and laundry. In their infancy you teach them all the basic skills they need and often think the “small” stage is never going to end.

As toddlers, they absorb everything; repeating what you say and constantly cloning your actions. Because of this, how you and your partner live out your relationship can greatly influence your children.

When they hit their teenage years they begin to pull away from you. Their friends become the center of their world.  They are pulled in many directions, needing to “measure up,” almost trying to please whoever is in front of them. Hormones are running rampant in boys and girls and sometimes it is extremely overwhelming for them.  Harmony between you and your partner is essential to them feeling secure. Home should be their safe haven.

Ideally, as they move into adulthood, you are there for them with words of encouragement and guidance. Although their needs change and the influence you have on them is not the same, you are still there.

At any of these stages of their growth you will always be the example they see. They are going to base their life on what went on in their own home.

William and I have not always been a good example to our kids. But we never hesitated to tell them where we had gone wrong. They saw us make changes in our own lives when we needed to, and we still help them make changes for their own life as adults.

Are your kids seeing two people who are working things out, arguing and making up, treating each other with common respect and love?  Are you treating your partner the way you would like your own children to be treated when they decide they are ready to get into a relationship?

At every stage of your children’s lives they are observing and absorbing, whether you know it or not, what you and your partner are doing. Do you like what your children are seeing?

Contact William or Edrina Sinclair at: http://www.AliveInLove.com/