Parenting is one of the complicated milestones in life. They would do anything for their family and while it may seem like it’s all come together, life just becomes a paradox. Luckily, there are smart parenting tips to self-improve and advice when parenting becomes a puzzle. Smart parenting is important as it also an awareness of modern parenting styles.
How Smart Parenting Helps
As parents, you need to be smart when teaching your kids the essence of life. And while modern parenting has made emotions and mental health more acknowledged than before, smart parenting goes beyond your traditional parenting methods.
Not only does this help with your kid’s decision-making, independent skills, and social and emotional growth, but also helps you, the parent, in being more informed about other approaches to raising children.
Why Smart Parenting Is Important to Know
To Be Their Best Friend
As a family, they should turn to you when they need a shoulder to cry on. Or, days when they feel vulnerable, they could vent their emotions to you. You are not just parents, but you are also your child’s first best friend. Playing, doing activities, and bonding, are all ways to incorporate a healthy relationship with your kids.
Be their best friend right from the start as this also creates closeness and the feeling of being able to joke around during less serious moments.
As a Parent, Learn to Raise Confident Kids
Smart parenting when done right allows parents to let their kids do their own thing. It allows them to know their own strength. Because of that, they are more likely to be confident.
Know Your Child and Their Potential
Another positive note to smart parenting is once closeness happens frequently between you and your child, you get to know more about their talents, hobbies, and what other potential they possess. After all, each child or individual is unique. With smart parenting, you not only create a positive environment but also an environment they can learn more about themselves and you.
Tips to Smart Parenting
Here are other tips on your approach to smart parenting:
Let Them Learn to Own Their Own
Most parents would often intervene during times they see their kids struggling with puzzles or activities they are doing, however, persistent actions may lead to kids not being able to do or think for themselves.
Let them learn to finish the puzzle first or ask them questions that can make them think of another way to do it or a different perspective.
For instance, “would it fit if we did it sideways?”, or “you’re doing great, but what if we look for another puzzle piece.”
Talk to Them Openly
Kids are known to be honest at their age. While it may seem true, as parents, you should be the safe haven for your child’s emotions. When you feel a tantrum is about to happen or when they get overstimulated and have an outburst, let them cry and talk to them.
Ask them how they are feeling, what makes them feel that way, let them talk to you openly about their feelings. If not, let them cry it out and tell them that you will be there until they start feeling better. Another note, during lunch or family dinner, ask them how their day was at school or what they didn’t like about today.
An important thing to remember is never force your kids to talk to you. Let them talk to you openly. Let them know that your respect their emotions and when the time is right, they can talk to you about it.
Let Them Learn About Boundaries
Boundaries are important in smart parenting. Talk to them about the different types of boundaries like emotional, physical, and personal space. This teaches them self-respect and consent. In that way, they can also learn to respect other kids or people’s personal boundaries. Since we are in the digital age, social media or the internet is another risk to boundaries. Teach them online privacy such as not sharing too much personal matters online, privacy settings, and how to handle online conversations.
Spending Time Is Crucial
Whether you’re busy as a stay-at-home parent or working at outside, allot time for your kids. Showing up to their recitals, school affairs, sports, or family day can affect their confidence a whole lot. And kids will remember this even when they grow up. So if you’re really busy, schedule in advance your plans for the weekend, learn to say no to office work when things are getting overloaded, don’t neglect the time you have for your kids. After all, the time wasted can never be refunded.
More Outside Activities
Technology has made online game and activities more accessible. But that doesn’t mean it replaces the real outdoor activities. Make sure to limit screen time to 30 minutes starting at a young age. Plan trips like hiking, road trip, beach trips, or traveling. It may seem difficult the first time, but researching and asking for advice when traveling with kids the first time is very helpful. Outdoor activities are experiences your kids will never forget. Besides that, they also learn a lot of new things.
Encourage Risks
While no parent likes to see their kids fail, it’s important to teach them about taking risks and to accept defeat. No one was made perfect, and by teaching that, kids will be more confident to take risks and encouraged to try again.
Don’t pressure them to get it right the first time, however, encourage them to do their best and practice honing their skills everyday.
Accept Their Temperaments
As mentioned, each child is unique. As they grow up, they may get “big feelings” which may cause them to feel unsure of what they feel and overstimulated, be present. Let them feel these temperaments and teach them to handle it positively. Give them their personal space and let them vent their emotions.
Remember, how you react when they make mistakes, when they cry, and when they’re angry, will reflect how they will handle their emotions. This will affect them later as adults.
Show Them Self-Care Matters
“Wear your oxygen mask first.” No parent can be engaged all the time. So rest, exercise, eat good food, go and take care of yourself. At a younger age, kids tend to copy what they see their parental figures are doing. So showing how you take care of yourself can also affect the way they care for themselves.
Make Them Do the Chores
Another way to teach them independence is to make them do chores. It’s best to encourage them to join you when cooking, cleaning, or doing errands. Don’t force them to help nor get mad when they try and make a mess. Handle it positively when they make a mess by not scolding or shouting at once, instead, remain calm and initiate them to clean the mess together. Another way is to make doing chores more fun by turning on some music or giving them a reward after like an ice cream or a trip to the mall.
Start Teaching Them How to Handle Their Money
Investments like your house and lot in Cavite, are just other things to be teaching your kids. As young as now, teaching them the value of money will make them sure every penny counts. Simple as saving their money in the piggy bank, or just explaining how money works, will make them handle their money wisely.
Related Blog: 8 Household Chores that the Whole Family Can Enjoy
