Be a Better Parent
By: Andres Carvajal
Edited By: Stephanie Dawson
There is no school to attend and learn to be a good parent. Being a parent is one of the most rewarding and difficult roles in life. If you dreamed of becoming a parent, or if it’s a surprise, we will show you how to become a better parent.
• Don’t be afraid to express love. This can be difficult, some parents maintain a rude or unexpressive way of treating others. Don’t be afraid to be sensitive toward your children. Children will learn how to treat others based on how their parents do it. Try to always encourage children in making things and in learning new skills. A smile, a hug, a kiss, or a caress could be what your children needs to have high self-esteem and self-confidence. Let them know they are your highest priority and confirm that attitude with actions. It’s not enough to give them gifts, you need to be close to them and spend quality time. You need to tell them that you love them, highlight their skills, and encourage them to be better.
• Make them feel secure. If your children are afraid during a storm, or if they have a nightmare, give them security. Embrace them, try to be open and understanding, try to make them feel that you are there for them, every time. One way to make them feel secure is to involve them in family history, share photographs, trips, or just Sunday afternoon. Remember that you need to respect your partner. Even if you are divorced, keep a healthy and good relationship with other family members. If you are violent or aggressive, most likely they will repeat this attitude and become angry. Watch your health. Care about the future, visualize yourself with your kids in 5, 10, or 20 years.
• A good parent spends quality time with their routine in place. Many parents have hectic routines and don’t make enough time with their children. Play with them, read them a story, or go out anytime you can. If children attend school, help them with homework or transportation. Try to help with house cleaning, teach them responsibility and manners. Listen to your children, know their desires, inclinations, and preferences.
• Treat them right. This might sound obvious, but remember not to use physical punishments, insults, or humiliation. Don’t criticize your children. If they act contrary to the rules, be clear with them but do not humiliate them. A good parent is always clear about the rules, and they should explain to their kids what behaviors are acceptable or unacceptable.
• Don’t compare your children to others. Your children are unique and special; they cannot be compared to others, even positive role models.
• A good parent allows their children to make their own decisions. Don’t make decisions on behalf of your children, encourage them to have an opinion and to follow their intuition. A good parent will show the effects or consequences of bad behavior. Try to give them responsibilities and duties according to age, they were not born to be served, they were born to learn how to be good and loving human beings.
• Good parents have realistic expectations about their kids. Its possible to have high expectations for your children, however you need to be flexible about these demands and your child’s limitations.
Sources
Kellaghan, T., Sloane, K., Alvarez, B., & Bloom, B. S. (1993). Involving parents in home processes and learning. In The home environment and school learning: Promoting parental involvement in the education of children (pp. 144-153).
“Positive Parenting Tips”. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
