Parenting, also referred to as child-rearing, is the process of nurturing and raising kids from birth to adulthood. It is also the process when adults transitions to becoming parents. Before you embark on this new phase of your life, you probably have heard the phrases “good parenting” or “effective parenting.” Those terms often pertain to molding children into adults with great values, qualities, and mindsets as they venture into the world.
Moreover, many books will help you raise and understand children, such as Three Dimensions of Learning: A Blueprint for Learning from the Womb to the School by Dr. Carolyn Nooks Teague. Apart from reading materials, here are some parenting tips that both new and experienced parents should note, especially during the early development phases.
Do’s
Let your child be curious
Kids are known to be extremely curious and innocent. They ask a lot of questions about different things that catch their attention. When their curiosity grows stronger, please extend your patience and let them wonder. The best you can do is to explain to them simply and gradually how things work. Give them the context but allow them to figure things out so they can gain experience.
Allow them to do what they want with limitations
Freedom is essential to a child. When you allow them to enjoy everything surrounding them, they’ll feel more comfortable and eager to learn. In that way, kids start to develop their skills and coping mechanisms. They will start to become creative and resourceful, as well as make good decisions and solve problems. However, too much freedom can be dangerous. Don’t forget to remind them of the things and boundaries they shouldn’t do and cross, given their age for their safety.
Enforce reinforcement
Imposing reinforcements enable your child to slowly realize right from wrong. Thus, it is a way of encouraging kids to keep doing what’s right instead of focusing on associating themselves with the wrong ones. With positive reinforcement, you are also helping them boost their confidence, making them more motivated to do good and even better. But, you must set some standards and rules on how, what, and when you’ll reinforce them so it wouldn’t be abused and taken advantage of.
Encourage them to play and have fun
Children love to have fun and play. They have energies that seem to never run out. Since they’re still in the first few stages of development, it’s essential to allow them to play with educational toys. You can also have fun together with them to monitor them and keep them from getting hurt. Moreover, it will surely benefit your child because their imagination, creativity, and cognition will be put to work. It is also a great way for healthy brain development.
Communicate with them regularly
Healthy communication can lead to strong relationships. You’ve seen many parent-child bonds that seem to outgrow once the kid starts to enter adulthood. To prevent that from happening, practice effective and constant communication with your child. From their early stages of development, even until they become independent adults, ensure to constantly converse with them. Make them feel heard and loved by allowing them to talk and teaching them to listen. Also, remind them that there are times that they can be wrong or mistaken, and educate them to handle those kinds of matters.
Don’ts
Make them see the world as a perfect place
The world is filled with good, bad, and ugly. And, you should avoid keeping your child from seeing the messy reality. If you try so hard to make your kids believe that everything is always perfect, then they’ll face a bunch of struggles as they grow up. Those challenges can be inter and intrapersonal.
Take away their voices
Most parents don’t see the impact of shutting their children up. Hence, don’t be that kind of parent who keeps your kid voicing their opinions, feelings, problems, suggestions, and thoughts. Instead, encourage them to use their voices and be their haven, shoulder to lean on, and adviser.
Force them to follow your aspirations and plans
Your child is neither your insurance nor your successor. Kids are products of love that must be treasured. They didn’t wish to be born just to continue their failed dreams and goals. Hence, don’t force them to continue what you started or pressure them to follow the same path as you did. Allow them to figure out what they want to become and how they want to shape their future. Be their support system and cheering team instead of dragging them down and guilt-tripping them.
Alex Writes 