Parenthood is very demanding task and plays an important role in developing a child’s overall personality. Parenting has a far reaching effect on children’s character, behaviour and their achievements as they are a reflection of the experiences they have at home with their parents. Although all parents wish their children to have courage, compassion and high morality, yet very few put in conscious effort to achieve this goal.
Parents often complain about their children’s disobedience, lack of discipline and disregard for the rules set by them. The reasons for these problems though varying, are not difficult to seek. More often than not they lie in faulty practices.
Parenting is not a skill that everyone is born into. It is a learning process. Parenting if practiced sincerely, can definitely help resolve certain of these problems and even where there are none, will enhance their bonding
What is required is unconditional love, treating them with respect,encouraging them for independent thought and appreciation for their efforts however trivial they may seem. Parental criticism, over demanding nature and lack of sensitivity to their problems widens the communication gap between them and the child. children slowly drift away from parents and stop taking them into confidence. Parents have to make a genuine effort to bond well with their kids.
Some Do’s and Dont’s
1. Discover the reasons.
It is so important not to damage children’s confidence. When they do something wrong, find the reasons for the inappropriate behaviour and habits. Make them realise that it was their behaviour that was bad and not them. Love them unconditionally yet set certain rules that are workable and enforce them.
2. Choose the right time
Never discipline them when you are angry. Parents should never openly contradict each other in front of their children. Do not try to release your stress on them and use them as an outlet for your frustrations. Spend quality time with friendly interactions with your children and healthy discussions. Be available to them at all times for their physical and emotional needs.
3. Create confidence
Listen to them with undivided attention. Encourage a dialogue instead of lecturing. If there is something to debate, ask what they know and think of that particular topic and learn to respect their opinion and their knowledge.
Value their opinion and give them freedom to express themselves freely quite often. This creates a healthy self-respect and makes them feel accepted and appreciated.
4. Avoid nagging
Do not be over demanding with the children in order to make them into whom you want them to be. Imposing your wishes on them and making strict rules will only result in making them rebel against later. Learn that your children need not follow your foot steps. Encourage them to take right path to achieve what they believe in and help them to go further than you are.
5. Accept them with good & bad
Give them freedom to disclose those things that make them unhappy and to share what they truly feel. Accept them with their strengths and weaknesses, so that they are capable of seeing themselves honestly. This will make them understand that there is no need to hide something from parents
6. Never compare
Instead of comparing your child with other children, compare with your own child’s previous performance and efforts put in towards it. This would motivate him towards better performance. Always appreciate the efforts put in and encourage them to dwell more on hard work and not just on success and failure
7. Express appreciation
Be consistent in expressing your appreciation. Express your love and affection to your children quite often. Do not assume that they understand an occasional pat. Focus on their strengths and not on them. Ignore minor inappropriate behaviour and encourage rewarding their good behaviour.
