Parents aren't talking about 4 Dimensional Parenting . . . but they should be.
- Feb 19
- 2 min read
By Tim McCarthy
Parenting book author and expert
As parents, we try to put our children's needs above our own, but that isn't easy if we don't understand our children's needs. You see, we all have 4 Dimensions of human potential: The Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual. Your child has needs in each dimension, and as a parent, it is your responsibility to do your best to provide for those needs. How, you may ask?
Physically, they need proper nutrition and exercise. Learn as much as you can about nutrition not only for your own health, but for the health and development of your child. You can't build a healthy body without healthy ingredients. Those ingredients won't go to the proper places without stimulation. Exercise stimulates the body to grow stronger and healthier. Teach your children the joy of movement, whether that is in dance, sports, or just playing on the playground.
Mentally, they need thought-provoking input and modeling of positive thought processes. Talking and reading provide interesting thoughts. Questions provide stimulation to process thoughts and come up with personal ideas and opinions. Modeling a growth mindset teaches them that mistakes are just a necessary part of the learning process and should be embraced, not avoided.
Instill in your child a love of learning that will last a lifetime and provide guidance long after they have left your direct influence.
Emotionally, they need to understand their feelings, manage them, recognize feelings in others, and handle relationships. At an early age, help them identify emotions to understand what and how they are feeling. Once they understand what they are feeling, they can begin managing their emotions by intentionally replacing negative emotions with positive ones. The better they understand their own feelings, the better they will understand how others are feeling, and if they have learned to manage their own emotions, they may learn how to help others manage theirs. Self-leadership is the beginning of the ability to lead others and have a positive influence on the world.
Spiritually, we are all searching for meaning. You and your family may have religious practices, or you may just have a firm belief in the difference between right and wrong. Either way, it is your duty to help your child navigate the confusing and conflicting pressures of the world with an inner guidance system. Teach them to search for answers inside rather than succumbing to peer pressure. Teach them the power of gratitude through prayer or simply reflecting on a daily basis the good things they have in their lives.
Have discussions that examine the moral principles involved in everyday decisions and encourage them to choose right over easy.
If you haven't been talking about 4 Dimensional Parenting with your friends, don't be surprised. It is a new concept based on an age-old understanding of life. Now that you are familiar with the basics, do some research. There is a limited amount of information out there if you search for it, including a deeper explanation and some practical age-appropriate activities to bring theory into practice. Become the best parent you can, by raising well-balanced 4 Dimensional Children.
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