The majority of parents possess some degree of expertise or skill in at least one aspect and area in life. It can range from making delicious homemade food for dinner, baking original cake recipes for the weekend, time management for both work and personal lives, or even organizing clothes and essential documents in their custom-designed walk-in closet and organizer — name it, and they can do it.
However, having exceptional skills and abilities does not automatically qualify you as an expert in being a parent. Raising children could be simple, yes — feed them, dress them, make sure they don’t get hurt. However, simple is not easy. Child-rearing needs us to be our best. And unless we nurture our children to become the best versions of themselves, this generation’s pessimism, frustration, and anxiety will reach full swing with less dynamism and a decreased drive to confront difficulties.
Start with the end goal in mind.
When you leave this world, what legacy would you want to leave your children? How would you want them to remember you?
Apart from others expressing their admiration and appreciation for you, this aspect is particularly difficult for parents. When the time has come, and our Creator has called upon you, who will live to tell your story?
Let your children know what they mean to you and show them that they are the most important people in your world. Our lives are already a jumble of complicated energy pulls and drain. Therefore, we must take responsibility for ensuring, in all our power, that we give our children the best life they deserve. For instance, eating together as a family and engaging in conversations about their day or any other relevant topic is beneficial for children physically and mentally.
Develop a Habit of Appreciation
According to research, being grateful benefits our emotional health and makes us happier. Those who maintain daily or weekly grateful journals report feeling more positive, making better progress toward achieving their goals, and generally feeling good about their life.
Encourage each family member to take time to write down or be more vocal about the things they are grateful for every day. It doesn’t have to be complicated and can be as simple as saying grace before meals, being thankful for waking up healthy, or having a family around. If done right, this practice can develop a wide variety of pleasant emotions and genuinely result in long-term contentment.
Stimulating their self-esteem
Your children absorb the way you speak, the tone of your voice, your facial expressions, and body language. As parents, your actions and words have the most significant impact on their growing self-esteem. No matter how small or big it is, praising them for their achievements will instill pride in them. Allowing children to act autonomously will foster a sense of confidence and strength.
On the contrary, demeaning comments or making unfavorable comparisons to other kids will make children feel insignificant. Think before you say anything and choose your words wisely. Be more compassionate. Allow your children to understand that everybody makes mistakes, but that will not make you love them less.
Set boundaries and maintain consistency in your discipline.
Every home needs discipline. The purpose of rules and regulations is to assist children in choosing appropriate behaviors and developing self-control. They may push the limits you create for your children, but they require those boundaries to become responsible individuals.
Establishing home rules also brings structure to your children’s lives and understand their parents’ expectations better. For instance, no video games until schoolwork are completed, no name-calling your siblings, or harsh taunting. You may also choose to implement a system consisting of a single warning proceeded by penalties such as time-outs or loss of TV or internet privileges.
Moreover, a frequent error made by parents is a lack of enforcement. You cannot reprimand children for being disrespectful one day and then disregard them the next. Consistency shows them that you mean business.
Without a doubt, we cannot expect ourselves to be in a joyful state at all times every day. Recognize that you have your strengths and limitations. Make an effort to set reasonable goals for yourself, your partner, and your children.
You are not expected to have everything figured out; therefore, be kind to yourself. Recognize when you’ve reached a point of exhaustion. Allow yourself time to recover and evaluate your feelings. Remember, you cannot give what you do not have, so when you feel drained, take a moment to pause and do what is required to re-energize and get back on the game.
As parents, it’s important to remember that concentrating on your own wants does not constitute selfishness. It simply implies that you are concerned with your personal well-being to take care of your family’s own well-being.
