Parenting is not a piece of cake. It is a journey of making tough choices that are not only in the interests of children but choosing what is best for them. Some think things would get simpler once children grow up. Believe it or not, toddlers can turn your whole world upside down while teenagers are very hard to please.
Don’t worry, parenting is not easy, and almost everyone struggles with it. However, this journey has its own charm and essence; and everyone makes mistakes. Have a look below for the 7 habits of highly effective parents for some suggestions.
1. Understanding Children
Don’t you think children do what they see? In the growing ages, every child looks up to their parents and learns from them. Hence, if you are leaving a good example, the child would go on the right track. If you decide to lie, shout, and complain, then your child would do the same. Before you expect your children to trust you with anything, you have to earn it through your behavior.
Even though parents bring children into this world, but they have their own lives. It is out of the question to make them follow all that you have to say. Therefore, you have to understand your children and the long generation gap. Every parent has to change their parenting style to deal with different generations.
2. Healthy Communication
Even though parents have full control over everything, but you shouldn’t forget children do have an opinion too. Unlike those strict parents, you shouldn’t impose things on children because that is very dominating. You can take the approach of becoming friends with children while maintaining mutual respect towards each other.
It only becomes possible through effective communication. Everyone is busy these days, juggling between professional and personal life is a big hustle, but you have to take out time for your kids. After all, it is your duty to catch on their lives or to put your newborn to sleep in a baby cot. All these things are equally imperative, and highly effective parents know how to maintain a balance between both.
3. Stop Comparing them With Others!
Usually, parents have sky touching hopes from their children. It is not a bad thing to set expectations, but they have to be realistic and free from the pressure of society. Just because your relative’s son learned ‘how to speak’ by the age of 3, doesn’t mean your kid would too. Similarly, parents can’t stop bragging about how amazing other children have scored.
Remember, every child is unique and possesses a different set of capabilities. The most important parenting tip is to stop comparing your children with others. Thus, you need to come up with better ways to motivate and encourage children to be good.
4. Keep them, Happy
Honestly, rewarding children is never a bad thing. At the same time, fulfilling unnecessary wants is never a good thing either. You have to maintain the discipline to avoid any unrealistic expectations, but gifts on every occasion are mandatory. Similarly, if they achieve something in their academic life or personal life, then make sure to reward for it. You can also take them out for dinner when they are feeling low because some fresh air is never harmful.
5. Respect their Privacy
Kids would remain kids forever for a parent. From a broader perspective, they are growing old and need autonomy. Parents think their children are too fragile and new to this world, but sooner or later, they have to step out without your support. So, why not prepare them for it now?
Sometimes, parents have to let kids make their own decisions, even if they are wrong. It teaches them how to be on their own and how to accept failures, which is very crucial. After all, everyone learns from their mistakes. Therefore, rather than buzzing on their head 24/7, you need to step out and let them be on their own.
6. Teach Something Everyday
Do you think the internet is enough for learning? Well, from an educational perspective, it might have everything, but no one can give life lessons better than a parent. Life is a journey of ups and downs, with loads of learning. Thus, it not a bad thing to teach your children what you have experienced. However, this doesn’t have to be a hardcore teaching class.
You can hand down some general bits of advice at the dinner table about how children shouldn’t trust everyone. Teach them to recognize the ‘bad touch’ and speak up against it and how they shouldn’t take anything, even a candy from a stranger. You don’t have to wait for the right time to have this small talk.
7. Set Boundaries
Some parents have to learn to say ‘No’; you can’t just keep saying yes to everything they want. Therefore, the best thing you can do is to set some boundaries and rules to keep everyone on track. For instance, you can make a rule that everyone has to be at the dinner table by 8 at night. Similarly, many parents have don’t allow their teens to stay out any longer than 11 at night. You have straightaway tell what is allowed and what isn’t.
Final Word
Parenting might not be easy but adopting a few habits can change how things work. However, it might not complement your interests, but doing what is best always the goal. So, look above for some 7 habits of highly effective parents.
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