Nothing prepares one for parenting as much as the experience itself. However, to avoid making costly mistakes while trying to be the right parent to our kids, we must learn the correct strategies that are most helpful in raising happy and mentally stable children.
Here are steps to more effective parenting:
1. Set Boundaries and be Consistent with Your Discipline
What values do you think your children should imbibe? With discipline, you can help them live by those morals. Discipline aims to enable kids to prefer appropriate behaviors and exhibit self-restraint.
Creating your home rules helps children realize your expectations from them, consequently enabling them to evolve into adults with self-control.
Moreover, you should never forfeit the consequences for breaking a rule. Kids are more likely not to take flexible rules seriously once they observe your inconsistency with executing your disciplinary measures.
2. Build their Self Esteem
Parents are very instrumental in building healthy or unhealthy self-esteem in their kids. As parents, you must choose your tone, expression, and body language around your kids. The rule is never to be negative with or around them.
Build them up through constructive criticism laced with understanding. Don’t pressurize them in their learning process, and never hesitate to tell them how much you love and appreciate them.
3. Spend Time With your Kids
You may be a busy couple, nannies may be around to help with the kids, but your children desire your presence and time than anyone else’s. Don’t let them strive to get your attention because the only way they do is by creating tantrums or troubles.
Ensure to eat breakfast or dinner as a family. Have fun moments together, and be involved in their school activities. If you’re preoccupied, you can bond with them by dropping loving notes in their school bag or lunch pack.
4. Be their Role Model
Do you want your kids to spread love and light? Then be their muse. Every trait you need your kid to inculcate is all you have to show them as they grow up. That way, they can easily replicate your actions.
Learn to manage your anger. As parents, learn to respect each other in their presence. A good kid is a product of good parenting. The ball lies in your court. Give it a good kick.
