5 Ways To Improve Your Parenting Skills

Parenting is the ultimate job where the bosses are unpredictable, the pay is non-existent, and the hours are 24/7 — but the rewards are priceless. As parents, it is a lifelong mission to learn how to be better parents so that our kids grow up healthy and happy. Here are some things you can do if you aspire to become a better parent.

1. Show your kids love and affection.
Just like taking care of plants takes patience and consistency, parents need to be patient and consistent in showing their children love, support, and direction so that their children can grow and flourish. Children learn how to show love and affection by observing their parents' behavior, and they are more likely to grow up to be emotionally expressive and affectionate adults.
Give them the love they deserve (even when they're being difficult!) by:

• Spending quality time with your children for a range of activities – from planning trips to getting groceries – to let them know that they are valued and appreciated.
• Giving them your full attention whenever you and your kids are talking or doing activities together.
• Giving them space to cool down and process their emotions during a conflict.
• Teach them how to regulate and express their emotions in a healthy way.

2. Set rules and expectations for your kids and stick to them.
Whether or not you should set rules for children is a highly debatable topic in the world of parenting; it is either viewed as restricting personal freedom or viewed as lenient parenting. These days, parents have little time to supervise and guide their kids, while kids have unfettered access to information online that could lead them astray. Setting clear and reasonable rules is an important way to build a positive character and cultivate good habits.
Here are some ways parents or caregivers can set rules and expectations:

• Discuss and talk to your kids about what rules to set.
• Create a family rules chart to inform everyone in the family about it.
• Reward good behavior and enforce the consequences that have been established for bad behavior.
• Be flexible with your rules to show them respect and cater to your children’s stage of growth.

3. Encourage your kids to be adventurous and pursue their goals.
Their dreams of becoming a fairy princess or a dinosaur explorer might seem like fantasy for now, but don’t be too quick to brush them off. One day, they'll dream to be great authors or doctors who save lives! For children who are still growing and developing, it is important to let them explore their interests so that they grow up to be daring and adventurous.
Here’s how you can help your child explore their interests:

• Get the entire family involved in their hobbies to foster a supportive family environment (and add some family fun to the learning process!)
• Allow your child to explore their passions by introducing them to a variety of activities.
• Observe your child's reactions in their daily activities to figure out their strengths and talents.
• Give your child adequate free time to let their mind wander and come up with unique ideas and creative activities.

4. Develop self-esteem in your kids.
Kids start developing their sense of self even as infants, and parents play a huge role in helping them build a positive self-image. As parents, pay attention to your words and actions! Kids learn and pick up on your voice tone, body language, and personal expressions as you interact with them.
Build your child’s self-esteem by:

• Giving praise and rewards for good behaviors and habits.
• Avoiding harsh comments or unfair comparisons that’ll make your child feel worthless.
• Celebrating their accomplishments, be it small or big, to make them feel proud and motivate them to perform better.
• Allow them to do things independently to let them feel capable and strong.

5. Teach your kids about positive values like kindness and empathy.
Imagine this: You’re shouting angrily at your kids for not doing chores you told them to do repeatedly. Are kids just forgetful, or are they being lazy and can’t be bothered? Either way, you can instill empathy in your kids by telling them their inaction will only add to your burden, and that they should try their best to help you out.
Kindness and empathy are all important aspects of social interaction and positive relationships. Teach your children the importance of caring for others by:

• Bringing them for volunteering work and engage in community service
• Demonstrating empathy for others and express curiosity in their situation
• Engaging in self-care activities such as exercising, reading, or drawing with your kids to reduce stress and stay healthy

Parenting is a full-time job that requires a lot of patience and effort, but remember to take a break to de-stress every now and then. Treat your family to a staycation or a short trip at Novus Jiva today (it’s up to you to decide if you should bring the kids along!).

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