I recently came across a fantastic article with some great tips on "Being A Great Parent." It has some great reminders and encouragement for many areas of parenting. I love quick, straight to the point ideas that help me strive to be a better parent. Here are some of the tips:
1. Express love and show affection. Sometimes parents just assume their kids know they love them but kids need to hear and see this from you directly. This doesn’t end when they start to grow up, either. Show your kids you love them on a regular basis.
2. Keep your child safe. Make sure that the child’s basic needs are met and that you take all steps to keep them as safe as possible at all times. You also need to teach your growing child proper safety steps.
3. Make them feel safe. It’s not enough just to be safe; you also want them to feel safe. Avoid threatening or menacing behavior or putting your child in situations where they will be fearful.
4. Listen to them. You are there to provide instruction but also to listen to your child. Listen attentively on a regular basis and give your child respect. This also teaches them by example to listen well to others.
5. Give order and structure. It’s important to provide structure and order in your child’s daily life.
6. Set boundaries. We all want our kids to love us but children of all ages need boundaries. Set rule and guidelines about what they can and can’t do. These boundaries will help them create their own boundaries when they are older as they grow into adults.
7. Have fun. Don’t get so caught up being a parent that you forget to have fun. Your children should see you laughing, smiling and having fun with them.
8. Be consistent. This refers to you as a parent and also to all sets of parents or anyone who gives the child instruction. Stay consistent so that your child doesn’t get confused about what’s going on and what’s expected of them.
9. Have bonding time with each child individually. If you have more than one child, you may sometimes feel that you are being pulled in different directions. It can be a busy job but it’s important that you spend time with each child one-on-one.
10. Parenting doesn’t end when they turn 18. Remember that being a parent is a life-long job and it doesn’t end when your children turn 18 or move out of the house. Continue to be there for them as they become adults
From Manage Your Child
Great list - thanks for the reminders!
ReplyDeleteCourtney
All so very, very true. Sometimes it's hard to do it all, but I make it a point to focus intentionally on doing the ones that come less naturally than the others. I wrote a post on the 4 things I've been learning as a mom last week and the #1 thing God showed me was that my kids weren't mine; they were HIS ... and I was the steward He entrusted these lives to. That makes the whole parenting thing easier; when I focus on raising the children of the King of Kings I am more intentional, diligent, and passionate than I have been in the past.
ReplyDeleteI love these gems you find and post. I am too tired to read a book about parenting now, but needed a "refresher course." Thank you!
ReplyDelete