If asked if you are you an “awakened” parent you would probably pause to consider what that actually means. What constitutes being an awakened parent? Many equate the term “awakened” with “eyes wide-opened” or being “aware”. In terms of parenting, to be awakened means to be conscious of what your role as a parent consists of…examining your role, determining if it is working to produce the results you intend, and finally, making necessary changes to achieve those goals.

Parenting is not an exact science. There are no “proven” parenting methods available. The obvious reason being there are no two children exactly alike. Human beings are unique.

There is however a common thread in parents.

When you ask people, “What do you feel has the greatest value in your life?” Some may say their home, some their stock portfolio, others their diamonds or their sports car.

When asked this question many automatically think in terms of material wealth. But if you ask if they’d be willing to trade the life of their child for those things, without exception, the answer would be a resounding NO! Our children are what we value most in the world.

We live in a society where parents have more resources to be better educated about how to raise their children than ever before. There’s an abundance of books available on how to produce children who are healthy, happy, and successful.

In fact, the market reflects that sales are at an all time high. Bookstores are overflowing with books covering every aspect of child rearing, including developmental stages, brain development, nutrition, healthy habits, and safety.

That being said, parents need to ask themselves the following questions:

Why in the last year have 84% of public schools reported incidents of crime to the police? Why has teen suicide had its highest increase in 15 years? Why then are anti-depressants prescribed for more than 52% of our children and teenagers? Why has illegal drug use become an unbeatable war, with over 1/3 of children in the U.S. using them? Why has “bullying” become the number one topic on the minds of millions of parents?

Parents are looking for help. Many parents are confused about how to deal with these problems. They are not certain which approach is the right one. They have tried everything to no avail and end up feeling guilty and question whether they are good parents.

First, parents must examine their parenting method and ask themselves some tough questions.

Does your parenting method match the struggles your children face? Are you equipped to deal with the subject of peer pressure, bullying, lying, drugs, alcohol, and sex to name a few? And the most important question, are you raising your children in a way that empowers them with the skills to successfully meet these types of challenges?

There has been a major shift in thinking in the last 10 years. Breakthroughs in science, medicine, and psychology have caused people to question traditional methods of thinking, believing and operating…and opened doors to new and alternative possibilities. U.S. health officials report that Americans spent $33.9 billion out-of-pocket on complementary and alternative medicine in 2007 alone.

Continuing education for health care professionals in the areas of both physical and mental health offer many courses in alternative approaches to medical care, including courses that incorporate the principles and power of the law of attraction.

These principles are also being taught in teacher’s workshops, in sabbatical programs for people in ministry, to parenting groups, and to the general public.

As a large part of that market, books on the law of attraction have received growing attention in recent years. Tremendously successful books like Think and Grow Rich, written by Napoleon Hill, 1937, The Magic of Believing, by Claude M. Bristol, 1948, and You Can Heal Your Life, by Louise Hay, 1984, brought attention to the principles of the law of attraction and popularized the concept that thoughts and beliefs impact your health, success, relationships, and create your reality.

But it was when Rhonda Byrne’s film entitled, The Secret, hit the market in 2006, and her book by the same title was released in 2007, that the term “The Law of Attraction” became a household word. It was featured on Larry King Live and Oprah and created quite a stir around the world. That same year, Esther and Jerry Hicks’ book, “The Law of Attraction”, which was published in 2006, catapulted to the New York Times bestseller list.

Many authors have had an impact in opening people’s minds to the incredible power of the law of attraction: Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, Joe Vitale and other teachers featured in The Secret, as well as countless others…too many to name.

And now, people who are also parents have become “awakened” to the fact that these same principles, based on the law of attraction, when taught to their children will create a mindset that says they can do and become whatever they choose. Their children know they are worthy of all they desire, understand they have within them the power to choose what is positive, and that they are the creators of their lives.

With this mindset, children become confident, believe in themselves and enjoy a healthy self-esteem. They learn to be pro-active rather than re-active. Understanding the principles of the universal law of attraction and the miracles it promises and delivers removes the “victim” mentality and replaces it with one of responsibility and choice.

In this New Year, 2010, we as parents are blessed with the knowledge of the amazing power of the law of attraction and the enormous difference it makes in our lives. The real value lies in the fact that when integrated into our lives and our children’s lives it is successful for everyone. There are no age requirements, no pre-set criteria. It is a universal law. Those who choose be an “awakened parent” have the opportunity to give their children a gift that will insure their journey through life will be one of true inner happiness.