Parenting is an important part of loving and caring for your child. Good parenting is about providing a warm, secure home life, helping your child to learn the rules of life (e.g. how to share, respecting others, etc.) and to develop good self-esteem. You may have to stop them from doing things they shouldn't be doing, but it is just as important to encourage them to do the things you do want them to do.
Good parenting = Great nation
Why is parenting important?
Rules are an important part of everyday life. They make it possible for us to get along with one another. If children do not learn how to behave, they will find it difficult to get on, both with grown-ups and with other children. They will find it hard to learn at school, will misbehave and will probably become unhappy and frustrated.
How to Be a Good Parent
Express love and affection
• A gentle cuddle, a little encouragement, appreciation, approval or even a smile can go a long way to boost the confidence and well-being of your children. Sadly, many children seek this kind of acceptance from their peers (who are wholly unqualified).
• Tell them you love them every day
• Give lots of hugs and kisses
• Love them unconditionally; don't force them to be who you think they should be in order to earn your love.
Listen to them.
• Express interest in your children and involve yourself in his and her activities.
• Create an atmosphere in which they can come to you with a problem however large or small.
• Talk to them at dinner times. Turn off the TV and listen closely. Share your experiences with them.
Praise your children
• Avoid comparing your children to others, especially siblings. Each child is individual and unique. Celebrate their differences and instill in each child the desire to pursue their interests and dreams.
• Teach your children that it is okay for them to be different and they do not have to follow the crowd. Teach them right from wrong when then are young, and they will always be able to make their own decisions, instead of listening to others.
• Remember that your child is not an extension of yourself. Your child is an individual under your care, not a chance for you to relive your life through them.
Be consistent
• Enforce rules that apply to every person leading a happy and productive life.
• Enforce the same rules all the time, and resist your child's attempts to manipulate you into making exceptions.
• Control your temper.
• Communicate clearly. Children should be very familiar with the consequences of their actions. If you give them a punishment, be sure they understand the reason and the fault
• Life is a great teacher. Don't be too quick to rescue your child from the results of their own actions if the consequences are not overly severe.
Spend time with each child individually
• Set aside a day to go to a park, theme parks, museum or library depending on their interests.
• Attend school functions. Do homework with them. Visit their teacher at open house. Even if it means taking some time away from work. Remember that children grow fast, and soon will be on their own. The time you have now with them, should bypass the time you have at work
Allow them to experience life for themselves
But don't just lose total control. Don't make decisions for them all the time, they must learn how to live so that they are ready when they are adults.
Warnings
• Do not be afraid to be a parent. Do your best, be their friend, but never let them forget you are their parent.
• Parenting does not stop when a child grows up. Being a good parent remains a life-long role
