Parenting Blessings

Although ultimately children will come under the influence of schools, media, internet and their peers. These of which may be beyond the control of parents. The family needs to remain as the primary teacher for character building and instilling of values. Parents, as part of the immediate family, play a critical role in this aspect.

Below are some strategies to help parents become successful guides in strengthening their children’s abilities to make right decisions in their everyday life and help them become adults who can lead healthy, happy and meaningful lives:

1. Model appropriate behaviors: Children tend to learn by observing. As such, they take their cues from what they see their parents do. Set an example of the character trait for yourself and your children. Example- keep the promises you make with your child, be on time for activities that you have scheduled with your chil; speak kindly and respectfully, manager your anger appropriately, etc.

2. Communicate effectively: Spell out expected behaviors, outcomes, rewards and consequences clearly and positively to children.  Example- when we are going to visit our parents, I will always remind my daughter to greet everyone in the family when she steps through the door, with granddaddy as first and priority.

3. Procide ample opportunities for practise: Allow children to set goals for themselves, make choices and solve problems whenever possible. Example- involve them in deciding how they wish to maintain cleanliness in their bedroom; making choices in healthy menus or TV programmes they wish to watch for the day.

4. Set natural and logical conseqences: Allow children to decide on the consequences for their action and help them find solutions to the problems that might result. Example: 

5. Praise and encourage genertously: When an effort is made for the desired behavior, shower children with lots of praise and encouragement. An encouraged child who has faith in himself would most likely to co-operate and be intrinsically motivated to behave well. Example: If the child share its toy with younger brother or sister willingly, praise him for his act.  He will be encouraged and his brother will also model after him when he knows that praises will come with such act.

Share This

Filed under: Parenting. | Subscribe | Comment | Trackback