It is important that we bring up our children in a way that
gives them a sense of responsibility, builds their self-esteem and makes them
feel loved. With nuclear families becoming the norm, parenting is getting to be
more trying. Here are some tips to bring up healthy happy children.
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| Tips to successful parenting |
1.
Talk with
and listen to your child: In today’s busy lives, we are often thinking
about the next thing that we have to do, instead of giving 100 percent
attention to what our child is saying to us. We often pretend to listen, or
even ignore our child’s attempts to communicate with us. Your child’s
self-esteem is greatly influenced by the quality of time you spend with
him/her, not the quantity of time. It is important to make eye contact and use gentle
touch when communicating with your child and be sure to share smiles and hugs
2.
Be your
child’s first source of information: Encouraging your children by asking
questions makes it easier for them to ask questions as well. By answering your
child’s 1questions with honesty, you can create a relationship of mutual trust
and respect that can prevent your child from developing unsafe habits.
3.
Understand
your child’s needs: The real expert is yourself when in the case your
child’s needs. You should know your child’s development – social, intellectual,
physical, emotional and moral – and there is nothing to be ashamed of. Tuitions
and counseling should not be considered as taboo.
4.
Cherish
your child’s individuality: Encourage your kid’s talents and interests. Spend
as much as time alone with your kid’s every day. Approve your kid’s differences
and avoid comparing them or asking why you are not like someone else.
Comparisons do not always encourage competitive spirit, as wrongly assumed by
many.
5.
Appreciate
the value of play: Play is crucial to all aspects of a kid’s development,
but is often overlooked as a valuable tool. Play can obstruct discipline
problems, offer a natural way for children to learn, and is extremely important
in the formation of a positive relationship between parent and child. The best
of learning and the best of bonding happen during play.
6.
Separate
the deed from the doer: Never tell your children that they are bad. That
lowers their self-esteem. Help your child understand that it isn’t that you
don’t like him/her. But it is their behavior that you are unwilling to accept. In
order for a child to have healthy self-esteem, he/she must know that they are
loved unconditionally no matter what they do. Never try to motivate your child
by withdrawing your love from him/her.
7.
Teach
your child right from wrong: A child understands of right and wrong
develops slowly, from within. Teach your
children the code of moral conduct and lay the groundwork for them to develop
their own moral guide. This is best done by narrating exemplary stories, and
not by sermonizing.
8.
Use
logical consequences for discipline: A consequence for the child must be logically
related to the behavior in order for it to work. For example, if your child
draws up a huge phone bill and you ground him/her for a week, that punishment
will only create resentment within your children. However, if you deduct the
amount from his/her pocket money, then your child can see the logic behind your
discipline.
9.
Encourage
all-round development: Provide healthy meals and snacks and model good
habits. Give confidence exercise by being active with your child and limiting
time in front of the television. Support your child’s efforts in school and
provide opportunities to learn and explore by visiting the library, museums and
other places of interest. Participate actively in your child’s holiday
homework, encouraging all the practical activities.
10.
Set
yourself as a role model: Model and teach good safety habits and establish
routines. Discuss and enforce rules that work for your family – for example,
putting away toys after play, keeping the books decently, etc.
11.
Make time
for family activities: A sense of belonging is enhanced when families take
to engage in common activities such as having meals together and sharing tasks
and responsibilities. Use family time to discuss needs and feelings, and to
solve problems. Going for regular family holidays goes a long way in promoting
bonding.
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