AS a parent, every day counts, you really have to be on your toes. You have to be alert enough to nip any disagreeable behaviour your child may have, in the bud. You have to listen keenly to and show an interest in your child’s opinions, suggestions and their “take” on matters, so that you can either reason with them, or correct them, if need be. An astute parent will always be one step ahead of their child’s needs, understanding them and how they think. Noticing the way they grow, the things they do and the things they show an interest in. As a parent you need to nurture their interests and talents: encourage their positive attributes and help them to meet and overcome challenges.
Guiding children by setting boundaries, morals and values that will keep them on track, while allowing them to think for themselves, is an art that parents need to refine and maybe adjust as children grow. This combination helps to make a child self-reliant, build their self-esteem, their confidence and assists with their decision-making skills.
Parents are there to gently navigate their children through the probable pitfalls in life, to teach them a sense of reason and fair play, to be good examples for their children to emulate; to love their children and to show affection; to care for their children to protect him/her and keep him/her safe from harm. These good parental skills should start at birth and continue all through a child’s formative years: through adolescence and beyond until the child becomes an adult.
Nowadays it seems that most parents are so busy with their day-to-day lives, that they do not find time to relate to their child on a one-to-one basis, let alone find quality time to sit and listen to their child’s thoughts, or opinions. If you don’t spend quality time with your child or listen to him/her keenly, you may miss the opportunity to nip disagreeable behaviour in the bud and become aware of it only when it is already ingrained.
Parents should know their child’s, good traits and the traits their child needs to work on. If a parent does not recognise these, then the “not so good” ones may multiply and manifest without warning. Children, at any given time, are a work in progress, your work as a parent, will bring about that progress. So spend less time on your cellphone, less time on Facebook, less time searching the net, less time watching soaps and more time in your child’s reality. Remember their childhood is what you make it.
You can enrich that childhood by providing opportunities for activities that will broaden their minds, their outlook on life and their horizon. You can lead by example by being fair and being true to yourself, be open, be patient, be steadfast in all that is good and right for your child. Show love and warmth, understanding and respect and they will do the same.
Parenting Tip: Your children will become what you are, so be what you want them to be
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the Childcare and Protection Hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com