What Is Smart Parenting?
Child-rearing simply called parenting is an act of promoting as well as supporting the physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and cognitive development of a child from infancy to adulthood. It includes preparing a home for a child where his development should take place. In order for a child’s holistic development of a child to take place, his environment should be able to support his needs in terms of interaction with nature, a place with activities that will provide social interaction and a place that will afford him a lot of venues for physical activities that will support his overall health. It is ideal for parents to create a home for their child in a premium house and lot.
4 C’s in GOOD PARENTING
Did you know that good parenting techniques include the 4 C’s? Smart parents equip themselves with knowledge of the 4 C’s and try to raise their children guided by them.
Care. It is the manifestation of affection and acceptance of parents for their child. They made this known to their child by showing physical signs of love on a daily basis. Parents who care do not withhold affection or mask it with other emotions. They can afford praise generously if children are deserving leading to the development of confidence and an increased level of self-esteem which ensures that independence will eventually take place. They support any endeavor their child undertakes to become a responsible, self-motivated, and self-sufficient individual.
Consistency. It is influenced by both psychological and physiological factors. It is when a person’s behavior matches his opinion as well as his attitude. Parents who exhibit consistency know how to value routine and a stable environment and how these two play a big role in the positive development of a child. They believe in consistency in their reactions so as to avoid circumstances where their child would have to walk on eggshells or live with fear. Children who grew up in a consistent and stable environment are not fearful nor overly confident of their parents’ reactions even in situations where they did something wrong.
Choices. The ultimate goal of parenting is to be able to develop a child who will be adult who is able to independently contribute to society. Adults who would be self-reliant and self-sufficient would be able to stand firm and live free from their parent’s shadows. Parents who know the value of autonomy in child development let their children explore the world around them and allow them to try things by guiding them to make simple decisions and allowing their children to accept whatever outcome their decisions bring.
Consequences. These are potential results of a particular action, and they may either be positive or negative. Parents who are able to clearly define what consequences mean to their children’s actions at an early age are able to instill in them how to value and choose to do something right thing at any given time. They reward good behavior and make their children realize their wrongdoings when they commit mistakes. This way, parents are able to teach their children to distinguish the difference between right and wrong.
HOW SMART PARENTS RAISE A SMART HAPPY CHILD
Smart parents know that a happy childhood is a way for their children to have successful adult lives. Hence, they make sure to provide their children with a happy and healthy childhood as part of setting them up for success later in their lives. Below are smart parenting advice and tips for raising a child:
Outdoor play is encouraged. It is an activity that helps lift a child’s mood as well as improve social skills. Smart parents are aware as to how relevant outdoor exploration is in bringing up well-balanced individuals with the ability to develop and increase their levels of empathy, self-control, and engagement as well as giving themselves instant boosts in their mood which are critical in their growth. Therefore, parents even allow it during school-related activities like reading a book, studying, or doing their homework, making study time a happy and worthwhile activity. They are most likely to become young adults who stay away from violence and substance abuse when they enter university.
Limited gadget and mobile device time is beneficial. Parents who know better limit their children’s time by playing video games or simply watching shows using gadgets or mobile devices. Adolescents who had limited screen exposure become happier than those who were exposed for a long period of time (a 2018 study published in the Journal of Emotions). Thus, smart parents find ways to engage their children with sports, church, and school-related activities. They make family time extra fun making their children lose interest in their gadgets and mobile devices and encouraging them to seek more time and activities to be with their parents and siblings.
Gratitude is actively practiced among family members. Happy and healthy adults were able to understand and develop gratitude at a young age. Parents who are able to instill genuine grateful behavior in their young children’s minds and develop a deep sense of gratitude as they grow up as part of their smart parenting techniques are able to raise them to become adults with stable mental health with high levels of satisfaction and lower levels of depression. Growing up, they have better grades and have better relationships with their classmates and playmates.
High but reasonable expectations are set. When parents set reasonable parameters for their expectations of their children, their children will most likely become people who strive for harder things compared to others. They may exhibit behaviors of constantly challenging themselves to deliver the best results rather than settling for mediocre ones. This ability would be coming from their self-initiative and motivation. They will be able to grasp a deep understanding between reasonable expectations and expectations that will require perfection from them.
Self-control is taught at an early age. Self-discipline in children is achieved through teaching self-control and limiting tempting conditions that would encourage them to do something unfavorable. Parents may start with simple ways that the children will easily understand as they make these ways fun, children will most likely enjoy as well as learn them.
House chores should form part of the activities at home. Doing chores at home teaches children to develop one of the important life skills in the future. At an early age, children may be involved in less risky tasks and with adult supervision. If the child yearns to learn more about a particular chore like cooking or baking, parents are encouraged to give their support.
Having family dinners is important. Although it is one of the challenges during recent times, it should be understood that sharing a meal with the family results in adolescents who have more positive moods and eventually become adults who have positive outlooks in life. In addition, they are unlikely to develop obesity and substance abuse.
Doing exercise as a family makes children happier. Children are more encouraged to actively participate whenever they see their parents actually doing the same activity with them. Developing in children the significance and value of exercise helps them pursue a healthier lifestyle as adults.
Overindulging children is something a smart parent must avoid at all times. A child who always gets his way may likely find it difficult to differentiate needs from wants and tend to be ungrateful. Although the reward is important for the child, they are not limited to material things but maybe through words of affirmation or physical signs of love like a parent’s embrace or a pat on the back.
Teach children that there is joy in helping other people. Children who are able to exhibit altruistic behavior and are happy after doing a good deed for another person or for a pet understand the meaning of kindness. When started at a young age, showing kindness may be through sharing their toys or food, they are able to learn acts of kindness as they grow.
CONCLUSION
Smart parents only want what’s best for their children. They are able to help them grow into a well-rounded individual with a positive outlook, healthier choices, realistic goals, and sound decision-making. Furthermore, children who grew up with smart parenting techniques are more likely to become healthy, happy, confident, capable problem solvers, with remarkable social skills.
Related Blog: What are the New Parenting Styles
