All you remember was the loud bedroom door banging to your face and fading screams from your teenage son, Tom, who was sent away from school for abusing their classmate. You don’t seem to remember how the quiet and obedient son has evolved into a rude, unapologetic, and rough teenager who did not care about other people’s opinions.
The last thing you heard was a mumble under his breath on how you are ever absent as a parent, and you don’t even care about them.
Then you wonder when the rain started beating you furiously. You have been a good parent. Or so you thought. Perhaps not perfect, but you are sure you have been making the right strides. Research shows that parental presence or lack of it significantly influences the behavioral outcome of children. In case you’re wondering about the top needs children want from their parents, the guide below is for you.
1. Quality Time
Think of the last time you genuinely took time off other duties to spend quality, raw, and unfiltered time together with your child. It reflects genuine and straightforward interactions like having a meal together, watching their favorite cartoon, and even cuddling with them on the couch. It makes them feel loved, cared for, and even appreciated.
2. Listen to Them
Another aspect that children crave from their parents is a listening ear. Please take it upon yourself to their struggles, fears, dreams, and even daily life events. Ask them how their day at school went. Please do not hesitate to inquire about any troubles they could be going through in life. It is advisable for the children who can’t speak properly to evaluate the expressions or even sounds to identify what they could be talking about in voicing their opinions.
3. Some Tender Love and Care
Ask yourself the last time you tuck your child in bed. Children want constant love and reassuring habits that make them feel safe and valued. Give them random hugs and kisses even when they least expect. Schedule a random outdoor walk or picnic where you can engage your child in a new sport or activity that makes them feel appreciated.
4. Positive Praises
Always remind your child how strong, beautiful or handsome, unique, and talented they are. Sharing your child phrases is a fundamental way of building their confidence and reminding them that they are outstanding personalities in humankind’s evolution. It will help them appreciate who they are and what they can accomplish in life. After a chore or even a school activity, tell them how excellent the results are.
5. Support Educational and Other Extracurricular Strengths
Some children may excel in school while others may have a hard time understanding different concepts. Nevertheless, while children may not perform well in academics, they may have their forte in sports and even art activities.
Your duty as a parent is to accept their different comprehension levels and guide them through their different learning phases. Help them do their homework and offer guidance whenever necessary. In some instances, you may need special education services and facilities to attend to your uniquely different children who may have various disorders like autism. It provides other therapies in improving education and comprehension in understanding different things in life.
Furthermore, always remember that your support as a parent is instrumental in the outcome of the child.
6. Don’t Label or Abuse
A common mistake that you might make as a parent is labeling your child because of asserting behavior as a physical attribute. For instance, your child frequently complained in their toddler and infancy stages, and you start referring to them as Mary, the crybaby. When you want to use such words on a light note, please consider the psychological impact of the names’ weight on your child. No child wants to face ridicule and shame in being who they are.
7. Avoid Comparison
While competition is a healthy development area when the children are growing up, comparison can bring down the child’s self-confidence and worth. Every child is unique and different and will never have the same appreciation and value for life’s happenings.
8. Feel Their Pain
Please help your child know that you understand anything they are going through. Resonate with any pain or suffering your child may be experiencing. Accompany them for any hospital appointments and help them in nursing care while at home. Attend to any injuries and wounds they may sustain when playing outside.
Eventually, you will raise a confident child who takes excellent value and pride in themselves. Additionally, they have the confidence of believing in their strengths and can adequately tackle their weaknesses and become better individuals.
Please think of the endless possibilities in having an ambitious person who can accomplish whatever dream they intend to during their lifetime. An inspired loved and appreciated child translates to a better family, community, national, and ultimately global development.
Keep being AllDayChic!
