There are 10 competencies that predict good parenting outcomes, asserts researcher Robert Epstein in
Scientific American Mind (November ,2010). These 10, listed in order from most to least important, predict a strong parent-child bond and children's happiness, health, and success:
- Love and affection.
"You support and accept the child, are physically affectionate, and spend quality one-on-one time together."
- Stress management.
"You take steps to reduce stress for yourself and your child, practice relaxation techniques, and promote positive interpretations of events."
- Relationship skills.
"You maintain a healthy relationship with your spouse, significant o ther, or co-parent and model effective relationship skills with others."
- Autonomy and independence.
"You treat your child with respect and encourage him or her to become self-sufficient and self-reliant."
- Education and learning.
"You promote and model learning and provide educational opportunities for your child."
- Life skills.
"You provide for your child, have a steady income, and plan for the future."
- Behavior management.
"You make extensive use of positive reinforcement and punish only when other methods of managing behavior have failed."
- Health.
"You model a healthy lifestyle and good habits, such as regular exercis e and proper nutrition."
- Religion.
"You support spiritual or religious development and participate in spiritual or religious activities."
- Safety.
"You take precautions to protect your child and maintain awareness of the child's activities and friends."