Three Mistakes to Avoid when Parenting

As a parent, we tend to want better for our children then we had growing up. We often focus on our own flaws and look for ways to help our children avoid making the same mistakes if possible.

However, is not life the better teacher when it comes to certain subjects? Are we as parent figures standing in our own way of parental progression when it comes to our children?

I have four children varying in age from 14 years to 18 months and I have learned a few things along the way that I consider parental gold when it comes to raising children.

In my fourteen years of being a mother I can assure you, I have had some severe blunders worthy of entrance into an “Americas Funniest Home Videos” category and today I would like to share three of my mistakes I have found to be 100% correctable.

1) Be a Parent Not a Friend.

Most parents are so busy trying to be their children’s friend, we often forget our most important job is to actually mold, and guide our children. It is ok to be understanding to how your child is feeling when dealing with adolescent emotions but we must remember our place as the authority figure and enforce it at all times to avoid confusion or power struggles between you and your little one.

2) Less Is Always Best

Problems rarely are solved by doing more of the same. Giving more attention to an attention-addict will not help. It will only show your child that by acting out in an unhealthy manner will result in receiving the attention desired. More toys for a chronically bored kid will backfire. Getting harsher and stricter for a non-compliant, controlling child will do you no good. If something you are doing is ineffective, do less. On the other hand, try a new approach altogether.

3) Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say.

Stick to your guns. Do not make rules only to break them or allow them to be broken. Kids need boundaries. They need rules and structure. They are not going to follow your rules if you keep allowing them to wiggle their way out of the punishment. Children are more intelligent than we give them credit for and if they think, they can manipulate a situation to their benefit they will.

By teaching your child that everyone makes mistakes including adults such as yourself and by showing them how to learn from them, you are on your way to helping your child-overcome obstacles. Most importantly tell them you love them often and spend quality time with them because children grow up fast


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