Our Ever-Changing Role As A Parent
We watch our children grow right before our very eyes. It seems like yesterday they were a baby learning to crawl, walk, and feed themselves, and now they're in school, involved in activities, making friends, and learning to be more and more independent. Parents before us have said that from the time they're born, we are constantly learning to let go. As a result, our parenting strategies have to change. As our child grows, develops, learns, and matures, so does our parenting role.
As your child has grown, you undoubtedly have discovered they have their own unique personality and temperament. You've probably unconsciously redeveloped your parenting skills around the individual needs of your child. And no two children are exactly alike, and therefore, neither should your parenting style. Some children may need more guidance and feel more unsure of themselves, so we've become used to having to guide, lead, show and encourage that child consistently through their childhood while still trying to encourage independence and give praise in order to build their self esteem and confidence level. Yet another child may be very intrinsically motivated and very willful and not need a great deal of guidance or leadership from you. While you encourage their independence, it's also important that you also encourage their ability to ask for help when needed and continue to praise good deeds, actions, and traits.
The most important tools we have in order to successfully adjust our parenting skills are our eyes and our ears. We have to see what's going on with our child and we have to hear what they are telling us. It's important that we encourage our child to be their own individual while still being available to them at whatever level or degree they need us to be. Sometimes it's situation-specific as well. A child may not need us to be as directly involved with their schooling to ensure their overall academic success, but they may need us to be more involved in their social life as they may be feeling a bit shaky or scared when it comes to making new friends or meeting new people.
So the bottom line is this: as your child grows and changes, so should your parenting skills. Keep your eyes and ears open and communicate honestly and openly with your child, and you'll both mature gracefully.
Parenting Skills
Make Quality Time With Your Child Count
Positive Praise For Your Child's Pride
Present A Unified Parental Front When Disciplining Your Child
Expect Only The Best From Your Child
Consistency Is Key To Successful Discipline
Protect Your Child's Emotional Well-Being
Celebrate Your Child's Uniqueness
Celebrate Your Child's Uniqueness
Parenting Skills
Successful Two-Way Communications With Your Child
... Make yourself an active listener. Let them voice their opinion or side of the story and ask questions to ensure you understand their viewpoint. Be constant in the manner in which you communicate with you child. Send the same message with each and every interaction. Allow your child to see that you will ...
Chart Your Child's Accomplishments With A Chore Chart
... rule of thumb is 50 cents per year of age. So your 8 year old child would earn $4.00 per week if each chore on the list has been completed. If it has not been, they do not receive their allowance. This is a great opportunity for you to teach your children the value of both earning and saving money, and ...
Clear Expectations Make Discipline Easier
... the contract, and for each week that goes by without any infractions being noted, a favorite or special activity might be earned. The connection between good deeds and special time with mom and/or dad might be just the currency they understand. But all children need to understand that disciplining them ...
Protect Your Child's Emotional Well-Being
... their physical needs are. The effects of not meeting a child's emotional needs, especially during the first three years of life, can have devastating consequences. Violent, disruptive or defiant behaviors can result. The first three years of life are critical in a number of ways. This is when bonding ...
Connect With Your Child But Don't Overdo It
... they are doing it incorrectly or inadequately. But remember, you had to learn too, and this is their chance to learn on their own. Be there to encourage and support your child, and offer praise at a job well done. But also remember to step back and allow your child to learn from their own mistakes, and ...