Being a parent, we all wish to raise incredible children in today’s society which is full of vulnerabilities and difficulties. Have you realized that with every passing day as our children are developing, challenges about parenting are evolving too?
Parenting is not an easy task anymore. We all want the best for our children, we nurture our children with love and passion. We work day and night with dedication and wait patiently for the desired outcome. To achieve the best outcomes, we, the Parents, do role play. We become friends, teachers, or bosses at times. We become a storyteller, an actor, and a director, too.
Suffice it enough to say, there is no one or right way to raise children.
Parenting is an Art and Parents are Artists
Do you agree with me when I say parenting is an art? Indeed, it is the art of raising happy, healthy, and confident children.
What is art? It is a creative process that involves imagination, good practices, rules, and experiences. Parents also take help from their intuitions, instincts, and emotions while dealing with children.
Is it legitimate to call parents, the artists? My answer to it is if they are not natural artists but they become one over time. Artists are of different sorts. They are modern, contemporary, classical, or realistic. Likewise, parents are of diverse types. Some take help from books or guidelines from their elders. Whereas, some go with their instinct and respond to a specific situation.
Universal Goals of Parenting
According to American Psychological Association, parenting revolves around three main goals universally.
- Safeguarding children’s health and safety
- Preparing children as productive individuals
- And inculcating cultural values and norms
Styles of Parenting
Just like any other thing, there is no one or the best way out in real life too. Everything including every phase of life requires continuous effort and adaptability. Parents have long-lasting effects on their children, and so do their parenting styles.
So, what kind of parent are you?
- Helicopter Parents
Such parents watch over their kids like a helicopter. They keep hovering over their children’s activities. And are overly involved in every matter from studies to practical lives. They make sure to protect them from every disappointment and failure and help them succeed. Such parents have no life of their own. Their lives circle around their children.
- Tiger- Parents
As the name implies, such parents are very strict. They prefer a disciplined lifestyle for their children. Tiger parents favor hard work over fun. They keep pushing their children towards success and achievements.
- Lawn-Mowers Parents
They are somehow similar to Helicopter parents. They mow down all the obstacles which they find, that can hinder their children’s progress. To exemplify the difference between the two, a helicopter parent will keep a check on his child’s homework whereas a lawn mower parent won’t be hesitant in completing his child’s homework.
- Free-Range Parents
They are non-judgmental kind of parents who allow their children to experience every matter of life from shopping for themselves to choosing the subjects. Free-range parents give full freedom and support to their children. They allow them to fail and make decisions in their lives.
Principles of Healthy Parenting
All parents face challenges. No one has learned parenting from any institute. Being a parent we all learn from our mistakes. But the best parents are the ones who always look for ways to improve. Here are a few eminent principles to be better parents to your children.
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Be a role model
Actions are louder than words. The best way to teach your children is to act before them. Children learn from imitation or copying. Also, children watch and observe their parents a lot. So, become the person you wish your children to be. Always speak the truth, work with dedication, and deal with every matter in life with honesty. Spend time you’re your family. Respect your elders. Listen to the people carefully. Verily, your children will follow in your footsteps.
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Instill Positivity
Do not exhibit unkind or negative behavior in the company of your children. Give your children positive interaction with family, friends, and the outside world. Stay calm and solve your problem in a composed manner. Be sure you take full responsibility for your bad behavior.
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Listen to your children
Listen to your children. It will help you to rethink and reevaluate your parenting style or decisions. Children are smart too. They have their point of view. They have hopes and fears too. When you will demonstrate that you listen to them and care for them. In return, children will share every bit about their love with you. Who can be a better friend than your parents?
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Set rules and stick to them
It is the parent’s job to teach their children the difference between right and wrong. Set some rules in your house and follow them yourself. Don’t be afraid of calling spade a spade. Teach them to own their mistakes. Also, make sure your discipline is consistent. Devise rules with a mutual agreement so that no one could find an excuse to unfollow them.
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Focus more on positive behavior
Children can exhibit negative behavior at times. They are human too and can have bad moments. Learn to avoid their bad behavior. Appreciate their good behavior and reward them for this. The more you scold or pinpoint bad behavior, the more repetitive the bad behavior would be.
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Assign them responsibilities
Give your children a sense of responsibility. Assign them small tasks so that they could feel responsible. Normally, children do not realize that house chores are equally important and demand full attention. By passing on chores, they will acquire life lessons related to duty, collaboration, and hard work.
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Let them be independent
Don’t be a helicopter or lawn mower parent. Let them do the work that is solely their responsibility like homework. Allow them to make their age-appropriate decisions. Let them fail. Don’t pamper them unnecessarily. Ask for their opinions.
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Teach them Social Skills
We interact with people on daily basis. Social competence is equally important as any other life skill. Social skills help our children to forge better relationships with people around them. Teach them to listen to others attentively. Respect opinions. Help others. Be polite. Stay calm in case of disputes.
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Pay Attention to your well-being
During all this, don’t forget that you are as important as your children. You need time and space too. You need to recharge yourself. Don’t over-commit yourself. Spend time with your spouse and strengthen your relationship.
Final Thoughts
No doubt, parenting is tough but rewarding too. Every child of yours has different demands and strengths. Being parents, keep trying your best. Eventually, you will yield the reward for yourhttps://thelifestylerevive.com/food-travel/trust-me-travelling-and-exploring-nature-is-a-stress-buster/ hard work. Create a lifelong relationship with your younglings and enjoy seeing them grow.
