4 Golden Rules for Perfect Parenting
Parenting
Raising and educating a child is a great responsibility. Before getting married or having kid, one should seriously ask himself / herself whether s/he is ready for it. Parenting is a serious matter but it is also a privilege. Everybody is a son or a daughter but everybody cannot be a mother or a father. Children are God’s gift and they should be responsibly nurtured with love and care.
Parenting is a challenge as well as a rewarding experience. It is a challenge because we live in a fast changing world where the generation gap between parents and kids is wider day by day; and there is also greater expectation from others regarding upbringing of kids. When children make parents proud then there is no greater feeling of satisfaction or pleasure for the mother and father.
There is no way for sons / daughters to repay for the love, care and concern of their parents. The only want for them to repay is to be good / perfect parents to their kids. In other words, you could repay your gratitude to your parents by being good parents after getting married and having kids.
The golden rules for perfect parenting are simple and familiar to everyone. What is important is not about the theoretical knowledge of parenting; but it is the carrying out / execution of these rules that is important.
Spending quality time with each kid individually
Many a time parents particularly menfolk are too busy with their works to give enough quality time to be together with their kids.
A time spend with kids is never a waste; it will pay big dividends later in their lives.
Parents are the most influential persons in the lives of their kids; in fact, parents are their first teacher. Parents are the best models for kids. They know them, trust them and love them. As keen observers and good imitators, kids learn from their parents; they learn about values, beliefs, interests, faith, habits, attitudes, manners etc. from their parents. Parents are everything to kids and they influence their kids on almost everything.
The most important part of spending time with kids is interacting with them. Instead of watching TV together or playing outdoor games together, have one to one interaction. Be good listener, patient and emphatic and let your child speaks. Children are full of curiosities and these could be a good point for initiating conversation. Listening is loving and listening is curative.
Do your best to spend time with your kids regularly. Sacrifice the time you spend on other things and try to be with your kids at least thirty to sixty minutes a day.
Spending time with your kids is one of the most valuable and beneficial things you could do for them.
Teaching your kid what he / she should know
Man is social being. We live in an on-going society and every new members of this society needs guidance to learn the prevailing norms, mores and life styles.
It is the responsible of parents to let kids know everything that is appropriate for his / her age. Parents should take every opportunity to teach their kids and equip them to face the harsh realities of the outside world.
The minds of kids are like blank pages or blank CDs. Parents should teach them and fill their minds with social patterns, manners, skills, etc. before they get corrupt by vicious things happening in the world.
The Bible says teach a child in the way he should go, when he is old he will not depart from it. Teach your child at an early stage about how to communicate, acquire reading habit, manners, respect, responsibility, relationships, morals and values etc.
No child is bad. Children are honest and innocent. They are like a blank disk or page an as they grow up, it is gradually filled up. Fill with the right stuffs from the very beginning.
Which rule do you think is the most important?
Don't hesitate to discipline your kids
It is important that our child learn to obey. In order make kid’s obedience parents need to maintain a fine balance between affection and control at home.
Be consistent as far as discipline is concern. Disciplining is not only about punishment or correction but it is also about recognising good behaviours and rewarding them.
While punishing a child, make it clear that it is his/her behaviour, not him / her that is being punished. As the child attention span is short, punishment should be swift. The child should be explained the reason(s) for giving punishment. Time out is one effective punishment method for kids.
Do not always focus on your child’s fault or try to correct him / her all the times. Observe and recognise his / her good behaviour and reward it accordingly. Appreciate your child more. Praise him / her for good behaviour. Praise / appreciation work wonders for kids.
Corporal punishment should be avoided. Beating a child would only supress his / her bad behaviours and will only reinforce violence tendency.
Playing with your kids outdoor
Due to space constraint and safety reason along with increasing screen time, most children of today are confined to indoor. However, outdoor activities are important for development of their physical skills as well as their cognitive, social and emotional development.
Nature is good for physical as well as mental health or well-being.
Play increases affiliation and interaction with others, increase exploration and releases tension. It also helps in working off excess physical energy as more calories are burn.
Reduce screen time and encourage outdoor activities for your kids.
Spend time with your kids walking together, playing ball or badminton together or anything that interest both of you.
By playing with your kid, his / her safety is ensured and the bond between you and your child will become deeper and stronger.
