How to Be Better at Parenting

Parenting is already hard enough, and we all know that you are trying your best. It is not necessary to be the perfect parent, but we must try to be the best we can be. We want what’s best for our children.

However, sometimes we don’t realize how our words or actions are affecting them. Also, the fact that people around us have different parenting approaches isn’t that helpful either.

While some advice given by these fellows can be good, some can be extremely harmful to your children. When it comes to parenting, there is no ‘one size fits all approach. Every child is built differently, and you have to try your best to understand them better.

The Importance of Good Parenting

Good parenting is extremely important for society as a whole. And there are studies to back that up.

According to Steinberg, professor of psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia, good parenting fosters empathy, sincerity, self-esteem, self-control, compassion, unity, and happiness among children. It also fosters a healthy desire to learn, ambition, and overall self-sufficiency both emotionally and physically.

In fact, responsible parenting can protect children from developing depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, violent conduct, and drinking and drug addiction as well.

Given all that, there are a few things you should be doing to help your children grow up in a healthy environment.

6 Ways to Improve Your Parenting Skills

• Be Present

We know how hard it is to maintain a healthy work-life balance. However, as a parent, you must be there for your children. They should be aware of the fact that no matter where you are, you love them.

Try to participate in activities they like. A great way to make your child feel your presence is to spend quality time with them regularly. Make sure you foster a nurturing environment where they know they are an important part of your life.

• Teach Them Good Ethical Values

A child imitates their parents and those around them. So, it’s crucial to keep up with your child’s growth. Observe how their age influences their conduct.

If you are always honest about yourself and with those around you, your child will hold this behaviour as a norm, and with age, will understand the value of honesty.

Another important thing is to enlighten your children about the fact that their actions have consequences. Whatever they do, it will leave an impact.

For instance, whenever they make a mistake, break down the negative consequence for them in an easy manner.  This way, your children will learn to not participate in things that have negative consequences on themselves or others.

• Make Them Aware Healthy Boundaries

Introduce your kids to the idea of setting up healthy boundaries. If they are uncomfortable with something, they should have the option to say no to it.

For instance, start with educating your children about the “good touch” and “bad touch”.

Teaching kids about consent keeps them safe from child abusers, but it may also be about simpler things such as whether they want to play a game or accept a hug from a friend. In short, they should know it’s okay for them to refuse when they feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

Consent education is a crucial component of teaching your kid about personal boundaries. It is a fundamental notion that may be taught to children of any age. It teaches your youngster that their opinion counts and that they have options.

As kids grasp the notion of consent, they will also learn to respect the choices of others.

• Teach Them To Empathize With Others

Empathy is a key ingredient in positive friendships and relationships. It reduces conflict and misunderstandings and leads to helping behaviour, kindness, and even greater success in life in general.

Children acquire empathy through seeing us as well as feeling our compassion for them. When we empathize with our kids, they form safe, trustworthy relationships with us.

Empathy is an essential component of healthy friendships and partnerships. It is a crucial part of a person’s social life. Being empathetic eliminates miscommunications and leads to a positive mindset, kindness, and overall fulfilment in life.

• Treat Your Children With Respect

We need to listen to our children actively so that they understand they are valued. This also teaches them to express their feelings properly, which helps them immensely throughout their life. Healthy communication skills start at home, from the very beginning.

You are accountable as a parent for disciplining and guiding your children. However, how you offer remedial feedback makes a huge impact on how a youngster absorbs it.

When confronting your kid, avoid accusing, condemning, or finding fault, since these actions can create resentment. Instead, even while disciplining your children, attempt to nourish and encourage them. Make it clear to them that, whilst you hope for better the next time, your love remains the same.

Let your children know that you have their best interest. If your kid’s opinion or view about something is wrong, explain it to them nicely. That will teach them to respect others’ opinions as well. This leads to them growing up as open-minded accepting individuals.

• Teach Them Self-care

Self-care teaches children to be independent and not look for their worth in others.

So, encourage them to take care of their body, practice good hygiene and most importantly take care of their mental health. It helps your children to develop an individual identity, know themselves better and make decisions for themselves.

Self-care leads to having a healthy self-esteem. When they feel confident, they know their worth. This can save your children from a lot of painful social mishaps, especially by preventing them from being in situations where they are treated as inferiors.

Conclusion

Sometimes we think these youngsters don’t understand much. But we forget the fact that they also have feelings and opinions, just like we did when we were their age.

When we dismiss the desires of our children thinking it’s pointless or insignificant, it can affect the self-esteem of our kids. While it is essential to discipline them, you don’t want to distance your children. The last thing you want your own child to be afraid of you.

Young children learn a lot about how to behave by seeing their parents, they will pick up on your traits. So, practice the traits you wish to see in your kids- respect, friendliness, honesty, kindness, tolerance.

Make a point to exhibit unselfish behaviour. Do things for other people without expecting a reward. Express thanks and offer compliments. Above all, treat your kids the way you expect other people to treat you!

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash