The Oxford Dictionary defines parenting as the process of caring for a child or children, including the methods, techniques, and state of being a parent. It encompasses aspects like raising, educating, and disciplining a child.
Parenting is a process of raising, promoting and supporting the physical, emotional, social and cognitive development of a child until adulthood.
Parenting is the easiest thing in the world to have an opinion about, but the hardest thing in the world to do.
Parenting is hard but rewarding. The general rules that facilitate good parenting are as follows:
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Strengthen Self-Confidence
One should be careful in choosing words and be compassionate to boost self-confidence. The art of positive thinking should be inculcated in the early years. Care should be taken to avoid comparing one’s child with others or using negative connotations. From the early ages, children should be brought up with positive thoughts such as “I am a born champion and I am born to succeed”, “I can and I will” and “Together we can make things happen”.
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Praise Good Attributes
Every child has good qualities; we need to cheer and praise these qualities in the child as often as possible. Similarly, reward the child with love, hugs and compliments, which will do wonders for their self-esteem.
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Set Boundaries and Be Conscious of Discipline
Disciplining children helps them learn acceptable behaviour and self-control. The limits they learn help them become responsible adults. Being consistent with discipline will facilitate the task.
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Make Time for Kids
One should ensure that he/she spends quality time with kids. Looking out for ways to connect with them and engaging them will give additional comfort to the kids and inculcate group dynamics. A child who is deprived of parental attention may suffer from an inferiority complex, feel lonely, be undisciplined and aggressive and avoid social interactions.
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Be a Role Model
One should walk the talk. Demonstrate the traits you want to see in your kids. Exhibit the behavioural traits in day-to-day interactions with the child, such as showing respect, being friendly, honest, kind, tolerant and transparent. Children being quick learners. Care should be taken to ensure that no negative connotations are exhibited. Expressing thanks, doing things for other people without expecting rewards and exhibiting unselfish behaviour are other examples to be inculcated in children. To put it in a nutshell, treat your kids the way you would like to be treated.
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Communicate Regularly
Parents should reason with kids and explain situations to them to help them understand why certain decisions are made. Involving kids in decision-making will help them stay committed to decisions taken and will also train them to meet future challenges.
As the child grows, one has to gradually change the style of parenting as teens rely more on their peers than on parents for advice. However, parents need to continue guiding, encouraging and moulding them while at the same time allowing them to be truly independent.
One should enjoy parenting while at the same time focusing on the areas that need attention.
Last, but not least, parents should have patience and should not lose focus on their task of providing good parenting.
Wishing you all happy parenting!
Dr Pushkala M.S.
Senior Consultant Paediatrician
Kauvery Hospital, Chennai
