One of the toughest and most rewarding jobs in the world is parenting. Parents want their children to have a healthy mindset that encourages a healthy lifestyle. Parenting is a process that teaches your child to be self-sufficient. There are numerous things you can do to assist your child as he or she grows and develops. Here are some of the best parenting tips that can help you in achieving that goal:
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1. Spend quality time with your children
Imagine your children waiting for you to play, but you need to do the dishes. What should you do?
Ask them to help you with the dishes, even if they are toddlers. You can talk to them about your day and what you feel. After that, you can take a walk with them for some time e.g. 30 minutes. During this time, put your mobile phone or other electronic devices aside and focus your thoughts only on them. Just enjoy this time talking, laughing, and being happy with your kids.
2. Encourage and praise your children
Your child did his homework without needing your help and on time. “Amazing! You did a good job with your homework.” Or, he/she helped someone in need, “You did amazing by helping that person.”
Encouraging your children to try out new things and cheering them up, even if they fail, will make them confident in themselves and help them to tackle more demanding challenges in their life.
Hearing compliments from you will enhance your child’s self-esteem. He will feel proud of himself and will make continuous efforts to improve and excel.
3. Improve their social skills
Your child feels left out in a social circle or is struggling to make friends in school. It worries you but how would you help him?
Help your kids to follow their interests e.g. if they like a specific sport or a musical instrument, encourage them to join that sports club or a musical gathering. It will help them to socialize with like-minded people.
You can also arrange a playdate for them as it is the most effective way to make friends. During playdates, encourage fun activities that also need teamwork. While playing, they will interact and understand each other. These small interactions will pave way for a new friendship. You should also be aware of their school progress can help in managing their homework or some other assigned projects.
Improving their social abilities is good but also, don’t try to push their limits. If they feel uncomfortable socializing for 2 hours straight, decrease the time limit. Eventually, they will start to enjoy playing for a longer period.
4. Set necessary boundaries
Children are wired to push their parents’ boundaries. It is in their nature to test them. For example, your 11-year-old interrupts you while you are talking to an adult, without politely saying “excuse me” or your 5-year-old is asking for candy without eating lunch and is throwing tantrums when you refuse.
All this is because there are no set boundaries for them. Call a family meeting and set some house rules. Do take their opinion but don’t let them take charge. Be consistent in practicing those rules and show your child that you made them for their good. Be kind but firm.
Set limits make your child aware of your expectations from them and help them in developing self-control. They also feel safe and secure and take you as a reliable figure.
5. Engage them in healthy activities
A healthy activity benefits the children both physically and mentally. As the child grows and their grade changes, there is a significant increase in their homework. Make sure that your child gets to do some physical activity like exercise, riding a bicycle, or taking a walk.
Be an example for them and join them in their activities whenever you have time. Encourage them to play a sport that they enjoy the most. Healthy activities not only improve their physical endurance and health but also their mental state. They reduce depression, anxiety, improve sleep cycle and enhance their enthusiasm.
6. Express your love through actions
We love our children unconditionally and want them to feel safe and loved. How can we show our love to them? It is very simple and doable. Saying small words of love daily like, “I love you!” or “I am happy to have you in my life”, will induce a sense of love and acceptance in them.
For example, you can give your kids lots of hugs and thousands of kisses. Make a ritual with them like reading a bedtime story every night or taking a walk after dinner. Hold their hands or sit with them.
Show your enthusiasm when they tell something exciting. It will help them in building their sense of love and security.
7. Communicate with your children
Communication is the key to solving problems whether they concern adults or children.
For example, your 7-year-old is not eating his food properly these days, your 12-year-old is annoyed whenever he goes to school or your teen is showing depression more often these days. What should you do?
Talk to them. Try to understand their emotions and what are they indirectly trying to say. For example, you can ask them about their day in school or listen to stories about their fun night with friends or give them advice about certain school projects.
It will assure them that they can turn to you when in need because you cared for them and made them feel important.
8. Be a good role model
Children spend the most amount of time with their parents. In their young minds, their parents are their heroes and their role models. Be just that for them. Don’t just talk but show them.
For example, you can motivate your 8-year-old to do exercise by doing it yourself daily or you can teach your 5-year-old table manners by following them yourselves. Show a positive attitude towards life.
No one is perfect. Parents can make mistakes too. Do not feel embarrassed and teach your children in the light of your experiences. Urge them to learn from their mistakes.
9. Give respect to your children
Show respect to earn respect. Respect is an equal right for adults as well as children. You can develop a sense of respect in your children by giving them proper respect first.
For example, knock on the door before entering their room. Include them in your daily tasks e.g. “Can you help me carry this basket?” or involve them in cooking something. Do not interrogate them too much. Give them some space to think about their matters themselves.
The best parenting tips includes listen attentively to what they are saying and try to understand their perspective. Also, try not to embarrass them in front of adults due to their mistakes and discuss in a one-on-one meeting.
10. Take care of yourself
Focusing on parenting shows your love and responsibility towards your child, but in doing so, you often ignore your own needs. Your priorities change and you find it hard to take time and take care of yourself which makes you stressed out and frustrated.
To be the best parent for your child, you must be aware of your well-being. For example, meditate even it is for 5-10 minutes, take a walk for at least 15 minutes in nature, eat some healthy food, take some time out to meet your friends and family, listen to your favorite music, communicate with your spouse and share your problems or spend some time alone.
CONCLUSION
Parents play a major role in developing their child’s character and behavior towards life. Their unconditional love and responsibility towards their child urge them to improve their parenting and be a valuable part of their child’s life. Best parenting tips need parents’ time and focus but it is also rewarding to see your child be a valued member of society.
About Me
Hi, there. I am Lin. Together with my husband and two kids, we live in the beautiful Netherlands in Europe. I am dedicated to self-development, creating quality time for the whole family, and fully supporting kids with their potentials and possibilities with all I have learned from engineering, MBA, and 10+ years of working experience in the energy sector.
