I was fortunate enough to become a parent, and what I can say so far is, parenting is a tough job – tougher than any other job, let alone in a place like Sharm, with all its diversities. With this mind, I did a little bit of research. I spent the last 2 weeks having chats with different parents about what their take on parenting in Sharm is like. It was very interesting what I learnt.
All too often we do not come to appreciate just how rough our parents had it until we become parents ourselves. While parenting has always been challenging, it seems that parenting today is even tougher than it was for the generations before ours. I believe that is more difficult because we are raising our children in a far different world than our parents raised us. For the most part, our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents had a pretty good parenting guide set out for them, by watching the other members of their family and the world not changing greatly from one generation to the next. Previous generations of parents had a strong support system of not only examples, but also helping hands. Here in Sharm, only a few have that blessing.
Today, our mobile multi cultural Sharm society and high rate of single parenthood (through divorce or from the beginning) have not only altered the support system of yesteryear, but also created a lot more challenging childhood to parent relationships. In our electronic age we do not lack for parenting advice and parenting tips, but it is so hard to pick and choose from the myriad of "helpful hints" to know just what will work for you and your child. However, just like so many other problems in life we are often our own worst enemies. Whenever the parenting choices get too tough, then boil it down in importance by asking yourself one of these three key parenting questions. Here is the best of what I learnt:

First, are you a good role model for your child? You know right from wrong. You know what it means to be an adult. You know what kind of man or woman you hope your child to be when he or she grows up. If you want your child to grow up a certain way then try to give them a role model to follow. Children do as you do, not as you say, my mother always says, and I know this is true from watching my own child. If you want your child to be kind then you need to demonstrate kindness. If you want your child to be a good student then model scholarship and demonstrate that you value education. If you want your child to have a strong work ethic, then show them what it means. Our children can learn from our mistakes but too often they simply repeat them unless we show them how to change their life.

Second, are you preparing your child for life and adulthood? Don't get me wrong. I think children should be allowed to be children. They should have fun and play. All too often today's child grows up far too soon. I am not talking about talking about sex with your 6-year-old or forcing your 12-year-old to get a job. I mean simply starting when your child is young to teach responsibility, decision-making, and consequences. Start them small with little jobs and little decisions and then as they grow older you can increase the level. If you do too much for your child then they will not be able to do for themselves when they grow older. Also, if you teach your child that life is all fun and games then they are going to be really upset when they discover it is not. I don't allow my 3-year-old to operate any kitchen equipment without supervision but she can make herself a cheese sandwich and pour a cup of juice. She can't unload the entire dishwasher, but she can put the cutlery away.

Finally, are you providing a solid emotional, physical and educational foundation for your child? Remember, your child may well be in charge of your life some day or maybe even in charge of all of our lives (hey somebody's kid has to be the next Steve Jobs, why not mine or yours?). Many people with tremendously flawed beginnings grow up to be good people, but why handicap your child that way? No matter how many challenges you face personally, it is your job as a parent to provide security and comfort for your child.

One of the keys to being a good parent is keeping your eyes on the prize. Focus on one universal rule or measuring stick and everything else will get much easier. What measuring stick should you use? That is up to you as this is your life and your child. If you focus on being a good role model, preparing your child for life and adulthood, and providing a solid foundation then you are doing great. Don't sweat the small stuff if the big stuff is taken care of.
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