Better Parenting Through a Better You

God gave children parents to guide them in their journeys into productive and responsible individuals. Wiley challenges parents to examine the values they want to implant in their children as she discusses a good self image, honesty, the love of God and the world he created as the values she considers most important.

Wiley considers a good self image as the most necessary quality to possess to succeed in this world. She believes the mind controls not only what you think but how you feel and what you do. She discusses her son's struggle with dyslexia, her struggle with a speech defect, and becoming a teacher. It always comes back to self esteem and believing in one's self. One has to be honest with one's self before one can accept herself for what she really is. This leads Wiley to honesty which she believes is second to self esteem in qualities needed to be responsible and successful. Wiley believes everyone has to believe in some higher power to have the strength necessary to succeed as a parent. For her, this authority is God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit all in one. He gives her the strength to cope no matter what happens.

Wiley believes the most effective way of guiding children is through modeling. She also discusses guiding children into becoming responsible adults by setting limits and applying natural consequences. Parents have a responsibility to their children to love them unconditionally and model values for them rather than being responsible for what their children do.

Communication is the key to success in any endeavor, and in families communication must begin with the parents and include the children. Wiley concludes her book by discussing ways to include fun; a family that plays together grows into a loving caring family.