Health, Wealth, Relationships, Career & Spirituality

Parenting and Raising Level-Headed Children

Parenting is arguably the toughest job in existence. We all love our children and the feeling is mutual for toddlers, not so obvious for teenagers and again obviously mutual for adult children. Whilst you may be doing the best you can, some people around you may attack your own mothering or fathering decisions. You will get judgmental comments from family, friends and maybe the so called experts. “you are a bad mother/ father”; “you should have…”; “you shouldn’t have…”; “what are you thinking?”; “kids need … and not…”; “you spoil your kids”.

The bottom line is that, all moms and dads are different. And different kids need different parents and different parenting styles. There are however basics that all parents should get right to enjoy peaceful and successful lifestyles. Love, communication and support are key in any parent-child relationship.

When does it all Begin

Your job as a parent starts before conception and not at childbirth as some may believe. The planning that you make or should make for the healthy future of your baby is all part of parenting. The conception leads to the birth of an emotional relationship with your baby. You can now touch your belly and the daddy can too. You both can talk to your unborn baby better as you know he/ she is listening. The tough yet rewarding job ahead has become a reality. The key is building a strong relationship at this stage. The healthy relationship is not only for parent-child but for both parents too when one is not a single parent. You are laying a foundation to either build a better future or spoil it; you have to be aware of your actions.

Child Birth to Toddler Years

The reality sets now as a character has come to invade your life. This is the most beautiful time in any parent’s life. Being the one to witness the miracle of life and being the instrument used in the process. A physical relationship is now born and will determine the rest of your baby’s future. An important skill which is crucial at this stage is nurturing, communicating and showing love to your little one. This could be a very challenging period especially if you are a working parent. Try and squeeze in as much bonding time with your little one as you can. Breast feeding when possible is another great tool for mothers to spend quality time with their babies.

As you have dreams to raise a successful child and ultimately adult set parenting goals for yourself. If you make a mistake, which you will, learn from them and move on and try harder to raise a healthy child in all aspects of life. Look at the wellness wheel as you set the success points for your baby. Think about your baby’s health, financial provision, relationships, career and spiritual life. All your actions in taking care of your own wellness are molding your children’s future. You teach your baby how to eat, deal with finances, nurture relationships, take care of his soul and what success is. It is the time for you to clean up your act and live a life that will give your child a great role model. You also have to introduce some discipline in your toddler’s life at this stage.

Parenting Preschoolers and School Kids

The time to ask silly yet important questions arises. Answering all those questions may feel very draining but remember that if you don’t, someone else will. This is the stage when curiosity is at play and children absorb everything they are taught. You have a lot of role models for your child, from peers to teachers. Just be part of your child’s life and spend time talking to him about his life. Your children have to know that you are there for them and when they need to talk, you are listening. Ask them questions about their school, their friends, their teacher and their feelings. Show interest in their lives and open all lines of communication. This builds a good foundation for their teen ages. You need to be loving but firm. If you set rules, stick to them. Discipline the bad behavior and reward all great deeds.

Parenting Teenagers

This stage makes most parents feel like they have not built any foundation for their children. Always remind yourself that this is just part of your children’s development. You will be challenged and ignored most of the time. Keep at being firm, you are a parent and she is still a child. The most important thing is staying calm and listening to your child. You probably need to listen more than you talk as most of what they think makes sense to them and not to parents. Let your child know that you are also trying hard to understand them and meet their needs. Allow them to express their need and anger when they want to but take a firm position. They will thank you for shaping their lives in future.

Post Teens and Adult Children

By now you will be having a beautiful relationship. Your status will be that of an advisor and support. You will also get great support from your children. This makes all your efforts worth it at the end. You still have to learn to let go and give advice whilst you let your children learn from their own mistakes and learn to make good choices for themselves and maybe their own families. Your nurturing and guiding skills should grow with your children.

Being an informed, prayerful and confident parent helps in raising level-headed kids. The foundation you lay today will result in a foundation your child lays for her kids later.

Breastfeeding Benefits

Parental Communication

Parent's Love

Be Involved

Provide Support to your Kids, ALWAYS

Your Kids need you Differently

Be Ready to Let Go

Giving Praise to Your Kids

Firstborn Child

Middle Child
Stay at Home Moms and Divorce

Disciplining toddlers

Disciplining preschoolers

Working mothers advantages

Step parenting

Single Parenting

School readiness for kids

Bullying

Birth Order

Gift Ideas for Fathers

Lunchbox ideas for Children

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