Today parents feel that their children are spending less quality time with them. The children prefer to be in their peer groups; they talk and share more about themselves with their friends, rather than with their parents.
At this stage, parents often try to talk to their children, but instead, they don’t receive any positive response. They often blame the peer groups for spoiling their child, but there are usually a few parenting behaviors lacking on behalf of a parent-child relationship.
Here are five valuable tips for the parents to consider that can help in the development of a healthy relationship between the parents and the children.
1. Observe Yourself
Parents usually feel that when their child is indulged in play or any other fun activity, they don’t notice the behavior of his parents. But here the parents underestimate their children. The children are observing their parents at all times.
They keep a check of the behaviors, actions, language, and each activity of their parents. Behavior psychologists (B.F. Skinner) and researches have provided evidence on the idea that children imitate the behaviors of their parents.
As a parent, you need to be a keen observer of your behaviors. If you are spending your time at work, and not finding enough time for your children eventually, they will also learn to live on their own. They won’t need you to share their lives with you.
On the other hand, if you talk to your children about their school, share your work, and involve them in your routine activities. They will start to share and take an interest in your life as well.
2. Appreciate Your Child
When parents give attention to the behaviors of their children, they become observant. In doing so, it needs to be recognized that when parents appreciate their children for good behavior, there is an increased likelihood that they will display similar conduct in the future as well.
On the contrary, if parents ignore the undesired behaviors of their children instead of nagging or punishing them, the response is unlearnt. Parents can utilize the crucial techniques like reinforcement and conditioning, to shape the behaviors of their children.
Appreciation of even behavior like fetching a glass of water, cleaning the room, and completing the homework can do wonders. The child learns and believes that parents are there for support, and they will be by their side no matter what.
Smile and give a friendly pat on the back to your children and when they display good behavior, appreciate by saying, “you’re such a good child,” “it is so nice that you can do your work,” and “I love you,” “it is good that you are helping me out.”
3. Take an Interest in Child’s Life
Parents often feel that if they have provided their children with a home, food, clothes, and are educating them, it is enough. And the child should be grateful to them, but unfortunately, this is not the case.
Children want their parents more than anything else; they crave for their attention and a conversation with them. Often parents are occupied with their work, home, and life stressors that they do not find time to ask their children, how they are and what is going on in their lives.
When parents find it challenging to have a conversation with their child, the children also find other relationships like their friends to talk with. This can be a risk too because the parents are not aware of the company where their children spend a couple of hours.
To ensure that the company your child is healthy and to develop a friendly relation, ask your child about their school, college, work, and other such activities. Ask them how they feel if they are happy and be concerned if they feel low and lack interest in their routine activities.
Ask them about their day and listen carefully, respond actively, and help them in the solution of their problems. Also, talk about your day, something new you learned that could also help your child. Encourage your children to take an interest in healthy activities other than academics, like sports, book reading, art, dance, and music.
4. Volunteer Activities
Parents do their best in providing their children with the best of everything. Children often feel privileged when they have all the necessities in their lives. But in living a life of comfort, the children do not often realize the hardships of life for those who are deprived of the privileges in life.
Parents can take their child to community service and volunteer activities, where they learn to work and help those who are unprivileged. The child learns how difficult it is to live a life like them.
When the child helps someone without asking for something else in return, other than the happiness of others, they feel delighted. Moreover, they realize how much effort their parents put in to make their lives better every single day.
5. Value Your Child’s Opinion
Parents often give commands to their children regarding their lives. They are just expected to behave and do what their parents tell them. There is no room for a healthy discussion so that the parents and children can talk about the issues at hand.
When parents give instructions to their child, the child feels that they are just there to oblige, and they have no importance of their own. Listen to their child and ask them about their opinions and suggestions. It will help them feel important; they will feel like grown-ups.
Moreover, it will help the child to make decisions in their later life because from an early age, they start to make a decision.
These are some crucial points to keep in consideration when bringing up a child. In this modern social media world, the children spend more time scrolling down their smart screens.
When parents provide their children with quality time in the early years, the children will crave for those few quality hours of healthy discussions with their parents. They will prioritize parents when they feel necessary, rather than hanging out with friends and spending time on social media.
Also Read: World Mental Health Day: Effective Practices For Families
