A NATIONAL MOVEMENT

A 1990 study by fifteen of the nation’s largest youth organizations found that the United States has done poorly in solving the problems affecting today’s youth. There was broad agreement that the number-one solution to these problems was . . . better parents. As a result of their findings, the final report calls for a massive increase in parent education.

President Bush then released a statement of six national goals for education. The number-one goal states that “by the year 2000, all children in America will start school ready to learn.” To attain this goal “parents will have access to the training and support they need.” President Bush’s comments represent a movement in thinking which places more value on the importance of a parent’s role in preparing children for school and life. It is encouraging to see that there is a growing awareness that families need support and education . . . in order to strengthen parents’ skills and prevent future problems.

SOCIETY HAS CHANGED

In the past, when parents had questions about child-rearing they would usually have an extended family member close by to ask advice. While some parents may have family close by, many admit that their elders’ advice on child-rearing often differs from current parenting information or their preferred style. This is a result of changes in our society over the past few decades:

Children are no longer “needed” to work side by side with their parents, like farmers’ children of the past. This helped children feel they had something important to contribute and taught them basic responsibility and life-management skills. Today, children search for ways to belong in the family and with peers, sometimes in unhealthy ways.

Superior/inferior family relationships are no longer being modeled by mothers and fathers. Women have equal rights and children feel equally unwilling to accept an inferior, submissive role in life. This change is healthy, in that all people do have a right to be treated with respect and dignity. It leaves many parents, however, with few role models or practical skills for achieving this goal.

Early on, children are being taught that they have rights: to their bodies, their feelings, and to be treated by others with dignity as a worthwhile human being.

As a result, power-and-control parenting techniques are no longer effective, because parents “talk down” to “inferior” children. This style, therefore, inherently violates a child’s right to be treated with respect, children recognize this, rebel and lose respect for the controlling parent. As our society became more affluent, many parents became more permissive and over-indulgent. Their children often grew up thinking the world owed them a living and they used their energy trying to get out of responsibilities.

Children are facing issues previous generations never had to face. It is important for parents to listen and communicate in open, respectful ways, so their children will feel safe in discussing their problems and feelings.

Although some of these societal changes have brought about positive results, they have left parents with few clear guidelines for how to raise this new generation of children into responsible adults.

EFFECTIVE, QUALITY PARENT EDUCATION

What it Isn’t . . .

Parent education does not focus on what parents are doing wrong or advocate never disciplining children, as many parents assume. It provides new options to parents and encourages them to respect their own rights, as well as their children’s.

Attending a parenting class is not a reflection of being a “bad” parent . . . it is an indication of a parent’s commitment to his/her children and role as a parent. The classes are not just for parents who are having severe problems with their children’s behavior. Many parents who attend classes want to feel more confident of their parenting and are looking for ways to prevent future problems and help their family get along cooperatively.

What it Is . . .

The most effective parenting classes are small, personal groups which provide opportunities for interaction among parents, practice of concepts and techniques learned, and individualized problem solving. Like most new skills, parents can benefit from ongoing reinforcement of what they have learned. Follow-up parent discussion groups, where parents can meet with others who have taken the class, provide an opportunity to continue applying the concepts to new situations.

MAKING THE COMMITMENT

Although professionals often recommend parenting classes, there are several issues which seem to prevent parents from joining these groups: finding a class, making the time commitment, and cost. All three really boil down to the underlying issue of priorities. If a parent looks at how much time and money he/she spends on business seminars, golf lessons, weekly fast food, or vacations, it makes sense to place a priority on attending a parenting class, which usually costs less than all of these! Parenting classes are an investment in your personal growth, your child’s future, and in future generations. Consider doing your part to make this world a better place for everyone’s children. Read a parenting book that gives trustworthy, accurate advice or check out your community’s resources for local parenting classes.

A NATIONAL MOVEMENT

A 1990 study by fifteen of the nation’s largest youth organizations found that the United States has done poorly in solving the problems affecting today’s youth. There was broad agreement that the number-one solution to these problems was . . . better parents. As a result of their findings, the final report calls for a massive increase in parent education.

President Bush then released a statement of six national goals for education. The number-one goal states that “by the year 2000, all children in America will start school ready to learn.” To attain this goal “parents will have access to the training and support they need.”

President Bush’s comments represent a movement in thinking which places more value on the importance of a parent’s role in preparing children for school and life. It is encouraging to see that there is a growing awareness that families need support and education . . . in order to strengthen parents’ skills and prevent future problems.

SOCIETY HAS CHANGED

In the past, when parents had questions about child-rearing they would usually have an extended family member close by to ask advice. While some parents may have family close by, many admit that their elders’ advice on child-rearing often differs from current parenting information or their preferred style. This is a result of changes in our society over the past few decades:

Children are no longer “needed” to work side by side with their parents, like farmers’ children of the past. This helped children feel they had something important to contribute and taught them basic responsibility and life-management skills. Today, children search for ways to belong in the family and with peers, sometimes in unhealthy ways.

Superior/inferior family relationships are no longer being modeled by mothers and fathers. Women have equal rights and children feel equally unwilling to accept an inferior, submissive role in life. This change is healthy, in that all people do have a right to be treated with respect and dignity. It leaves many parents, however, with few role models or practical skills for achieving this goal.

Early on, children are being taught that they have rights: to their bodies, their feelings, and to be treated by others with dignity as a worthwhile human being.

As a result, power-and-control parenting techniques are no longer effective, because parents “talk down” to “inferior” children. This style, therefore, inherently violates a child’s right to be treated with respect, children recognize this, rebel and lose respect for the controlling parent. As our society became more affluent, many parents became more permissive and over-indulgent. Their children often grew up thinking the world owed them a living and they used their energy trying to get out of responsibilities.

Children are facing issues previous generations never had to face. It is important for parents to listen and communicate in open, respectful ways, so their children will feel safe in discussing their problems and feelings.

Although some of these societal changes have brought about positive results, they have left parents with few clear guidelines for how to raise this new generation of children into responsible adults.

EFFECTIVE, QUALITY PARENT EDUCATION

What it Isn’t . . .

Parent education does not focus on what parents are doing wrong or advocate never disciplining children, as many parents assume. It provides new options to parents and encourages them to respect their own rights, as well as their children’s.

Attending a parenting class is not a reflection of being a “bad” parent . . . it is an indication of a parent’s commitment to his/her children and role as a parent. The classes are not just for parents who are having severe problems with their children’s behavior. Many parents who attend classes want to feel more confident of their parenting and are looking for ways to prevent future problems and help their family get along cooperatively.

What it Is . . .

The most effective parenting classes are small, personal groups which provide opportunities for interaction among parents, practice of concepts and techniques learned, and individualized problem solving. Like most new skills, parents can benefit from ongoing reinforcement of what they have learned. Follow-up parent discussion groups, where parents can meet with others who have taken the class, provide an opportunity to continue applying the concepts to new situations.

MAKING THE COMMITMENT

Although professionals often recommend parenting classes, there are several issues which seem to prevent parents from joining these groups: finding a class, making the time commitment, and cost. All three really boil down to the underlying issue of priorities. If a parent looks at how much time and money he/she spends on business seminars, golf lessons, weekly fast food, or vacations, it makes sense to place a priority on attending a parenting class, which usually costs less than all of these! Parenting classes are an investment in your personal growth, your child’s future, and in future generations. Consider doing your part to make this world a better place for everyone’s children. Read a parenting book that gives trustworthy, accurate advice or check out your community’s resources for local parenting classes.

You may be wondering why quality is so important in hotel furniture. There are at least five reasons to consider out of the box that are appropriate for hotels on all end of the price range. If you don’t at least meet the minimums of these five reasons you need to reconsider your furniture and décor choices because they could be damaging your business and the reputation of your business.

Comfort

Quality furniture and décor provides hotel guests with a sense of comfort. You want the furniture to be comfortable for those that are your guests without question but you also want to choose furniture that will provide them with mental comfort that your hotel has their best interests at heart. If you provide comfortable surroundings for your guests, chances are much greater that they will not only return but also share their positive reviews with others.

It is probable however, that if you fail to deliver these things they will let everyone they know hear about it. For some reason people are much more eager to share bad experiences rather than positive experiences. You want, at all times, to provide a positive experience for your hotel guests. Giving them furniture and surroundings that are comfortable is a great beginning in that effort. Avoid allowing your guests to feel uncomfortable by making bad or cheap furniture choices. Go for quality and the comfort it provides.

Security

People feel more secure in surroundings that are visually appealing. It may not really matter one bit in the grand scheme of things but the feeling of security is one that you definitely want your hotel to portray. Remember that this business is all about making your guests feel as comfortable as possible. It is nearly impossible to feel comfortable and welcomed when you feel threatened or afraid in your surroundings.

Hotel rooms should be furnished and decorated in a manner that invites peaceful and relaxing thoughts not one that leads your guests to worry about gang violence or the possibility of room raids. Furniture that is elegant in design, walls that are lightly colored, and muted artwork are great tools used by hotels to promote a sense of security. Other tools to promote security are furniture that is comfortable, well designed, and durable. You want the furniture you purchase to last without fraying or appearing dirty or stained. Stains, rips, frayed edges and such are things that lead to guests feeling less secure in their surroundings. Quality furniture provides a sense of security and is likely to stand up to use without showing wear as quickly as cheap furniture.

Respectability

Quality furniture creates an aura of respectability for you and your hotel. If your goal is to provide the very best in guest services and customer satisfaction then you need to begin by offering quality hotel furniture that is visually appealing as much as it is comfortable for the evening. You need to pay attention to detail in the furnishing from the hotel lobby to the hallways and definitely in the rooms and suites. You want your guests to find your hotel meets and exceeds all their expectations.

Too many hotels focus all their decorating and furniture design efforts on the lobby and pay little attention to details when it comes to guest rooms. You need to provide equal care and attention to both. The lobby is a first impression and you do want to make an excellent first impression. At the same time you want the rooms to be respectable as well. This means you should attend to stains, repair wobbly tables, remove broken items, and replace them as quickly as possible. In order to retain respectability you need to make sure that every piece of furniture in your hotel is not only quality but also properly maintained.

Soothing

Quality hotel furniture, artwork, and design should be soothing. Most people rent hotel rooms as a place to rest their heads at night. The hotel is generally a place to stay while traveling. It doesn’t matter whether your guests are traveling for business or pleasure it matters that the hotel is not the destination in general but a place to relax while at (or on their way to) their destination. You need to create an atmosphere that is soothing so that they can properly unwind after a long day on the road, doing business, or playing in the sun (when vacationing). The right furniture can provide this sense of solace and so much more. You must choose excellent quality and have a great eye. It helps to find a designer that specializes in hotel furnishings if you are concerned about your ability to put together a soothing palette for your hotel furniture, walls, and art.

Restful

This is perhaps the most important consideration for hotel furniture. You want your guests to get a good night’s sleep more than anything else. That is generally why they decide to purchase a hotel room in the first place. You need to invest quite a bit of time and attention to finding the right furniture for bedding, seating, and for working if you cater to a business clientele. But the bedding is what is going to make the money for you. If you offer comfortable bedding furniture in your hotel you will be on to something since so few do.

Quality is an extremely important consideration when selecting hotel furniture. If you want to create an environment that invites guests to return year after year then you will need to make quality furniture a priority for your hotel business.