Parenting is the world’s hardest job. No matter how much you read or how well you prepare, you’ll never truly be ready for the challenges that come with raising a kid. If you want to be a better parent, you have to work at it. You may think, at times, that you’re the world’s worst parent and that you have no idea what you’re doing, but that’s perfectly normal. Every parent experiences doubt but rest assured, help is out there.
Lead by example
You are your child’s hero and they will follow your lead by subconsciously absorbing everything you do. Your son or daughter will pick up on how you treat waiters, how you approach studying, how you cope with stress, and they’ll mimic that behavior their entire life. The best way to raise a great young child is to be a better person yourself.
When you feel yourself getting angry or stressed, think of your child and the person you want them to be. The strength a parent can pull from their love for a son or daughter can be truly great. You’ll find new reserves of calm and reason just by thinking about your child’s well being.
Avoid comparisons
Take care not to compare your child with their siblings or friends. Understand that every child is different and measuring them all against the same standard is harmful to their mental and social development.
Even seemingly positive comparisons can hamper development. If two children are compared to one another as ‘the athlete’ and ‘the bookworm’ they may both feel pressured to fulfill those roles and not explore other interests. Keep descriptions individual and not relative to other children.
Let them learn by doing
Children make mistakes. They’re clumsy, illogical and passionate and will do things that you can clearly see will lead to failure, but you must let them do it. Children learn by doing, so letting them make their own mistakes is crucial to their development. Explaining consequences to a child isn’t always sufficient, so bite your tongue. Be a better parent and accept that your child may have to be upset or discouraged by a failure in order to benefit in the long run.
Let them be bored
With the wealth of technology we now have at our finger tips, it’s easier than ever to occupy your child’s every waking moment with stimulating entertainment, but sometimes you must let them be bored. Creativity is a natural byproduct of boredom, and learning how to handle idle time is an important life skill.
A child’s personality and identity is formed from their creativity. Be a better parent by letting a child be bored. This will allow them to discover new things and explore their environment. If your child is really stuck or very young, you can leave different tools or toys around the house for them to discover.
Give yourself a break
You’re only human and you will make mistakes. Don’t try to be perfect because it’s just not possible; your child will get hurt both physically and emotionally and, as a parent, all you can do is vow to be there when they do. Allow yourself to make mistakes in the knowledge that you’ll always do your best and will always offer comfort, support and love. A parent terrified of making mistakes is of no use to a child.
Raising a child is the most rewarding yet challenging experience of a person’s life. At times it can feel daunting and unbearably difficult but one day you’ll look back on the experience with great fondness. With a little knowledge and a lot of love, parents around the world can raise their children to become fantastic young adults.