Being a parent is something we need to learn, not something that we automatically acquire simply by aging, becoming an adult, or parenting a child. We have a very specific idea about what it means to be a good parent, simply put: it is to be a parent to your children in such a way that makes their one and only childhood the best possible time for them. This means we have to learn how to manage our own needs, wants, desires, and emotions in such a way that they don't become a barrier to good disciplining, providing consistent love and emotional warmth, and creating a safe and healthy environment for them.