Parenting was never easy and there always have been challenges. Today, we are living comparatively in a fast-paced, hectic society and this is creating new and different stressors for parents.The new technology, rapidly changing family dynamics along with an overwhelmed education system, parents face combined challenges these days.
The truth is that parenting is both wonderful and stressful at the same time.
What makes it wonderful are all the things people tell you. What makes it stressful, however, isn’t quite as intuitively clear. Certainly the obvious things such as tantrums, stubbornness, and lifestyle challenges that make things very difficult for every parent.
But here is the thing.
What value you as a parent are imparting on kids in early days, how we are treating them and how we raise them in early days becomes a detrimental factor as how they become in their late 20’s and later part of their life.
Kids are curious. But remember, constant rebellious attitude and tantrums don’t make it an easy task for a parent. No matter how much you try to keep your composure, it is natural for a parent to lose your cool at times, and this is natural.
In this article, we have discussed Top eleven Most Searched Questions and Concerns about Parenting and effective ways to deal with them.
Intensive parenting refers to a parenting style characterised by high parental involvement and anxiety. Parents who practise intensive parenting tend to be overprotective and controlling, closely monitoring their children and actively managing their lives.
Studies show intensive parenting is linked to higher anxiety and depression in parents and poorer self-regulation skills and life satisfaction in children. According to a study, overparenting reduces opportunities for children to develop competence and autonomy. Finding the right balance of guidance and independence is key to children’s well-being and success.
Related Article: Everything You Need to Know About Effective Parenting Skills.
A good parent is someone who strives to make decisions in the best interest of the child.
What makes a great parent isn’t only defined by the parent’s actions but also their intention.
A good parent doesn’t have to be perfect. No one is perfect. No child is perfect either … Keeping this in mind is important when we set our expectations. Successful parenting is not about achieving perfection. But it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t work towards that goal and become good enough parents.
Studies have shown that the quality of the parent-child relationship significantly influences a child’s emotional, social, and cognitive development. Rather than aiming for perfection, successful parenting is about creating a supportive and nurturing environment that fosters the child’s well-being.
“Mom, why is the moon round?”
“Mom, why are my teeth white?”
“Mom, what is this?”
Tired of answering your child asking simple and childish questions? Don’t worry, it’s completely normal.
Between the ages of two and three, toddlers typically begin to ask simple questions like “Who is it?” and “What’s that?” Learning to ask questions is one way that toddlers gather information about the world around them, and it helps them engage in conversation for longer periods of time.
Every child is curious when they are growing up…Children naturally possess an innate curiosity during their developmental years, prompting exploration, questions, and a desire to understand the world.
Discovering your child dislikes their teacher can be distressing, but proactive steps can lead to resolution. Open communication is crucial—encourage your child to express their feelings and identify triggers for their discomfort.
Actively observe the classroom dynamics, attending parent-teacher meetings to gain insights. Validate your child’s emotions, empowering them to be part of the problem-solving process. Teach positive communication skills and schedule a meeting with the teacher to discuss concerns.
And try to solve those concerns. If your kid is struggling with studies, try to make study easy for them and find ways to make study even more fun.
Related Article: Parenting Is Easy, But It Is You Who Is Making It Complicated.
Every individual needs touch for healthy emotional development. Touch is our first language in life and plays an essential role.
In the womb, children have sensations of touch. Then during birth, they experience physical contact and are physically embraced by hands for the first time. In addition to breastfeeding and being carried and cuddled, babies experience touch especially intensively during their daily baby care routine, when they feel direct skin contact.
Mindful care can be incorporated into a baby’s daily routine from the very beginning. For instance, parents can establish skincare rituals that nourish both the body and emotional bonding: baby massage offers exactly this. Through massage, parents learn to gently care for, touch and communicate with their baby, recognising and responding to their child’s signals.
As parents, we want to see our children grow and flourish. But what happens when your child starts to exhibit destructive behaviours, such as breaking things or tearing up their toys?
It can be frustrating, confusing, and even scary for parents to witness their child engage in such behaviours. But before you jump to conclusions or start punishing your child, it’s important to understand why they might be acting out in this way.
Children may engage in destructive behaviours in order to get attention from their parents or caregivers. If they feel like they’re not getting enough attention, they may act out in order to get noticed.
Or, Children may also engage in destructive behaviours as a way to express their frustration or anger. This can happen if they feel like they’re not being heard or understood by their parents, or if they’re experiencing stress or anxiety in their lives.Sometimes, children may engage in destructive behaviours because they have sensory issues that make them feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable.
It’s important to stay calm and consistent when dealing with destructive behaviours. Try not to react with anger or frustration, as this can escalate the situation. Instead, set clear and consistent boundaries, and enforce consequences when those boundaries are crossed.
Disciplining with a gentle parenting approach emphasises empathy and understanding, steering away from traditional measures. In contrast to strict punishment, gentle parenting aims to nurture a healthy and trusting parent-child relationship.
Practical strategies involve open communication, active listening, and acknowledging a child’s emotions without judgement. Instead of punitive consequences, gentle discipline encourages positive reinforcement, allowing children to learn from their mistakes with guidance rather than fear.
Setting clear boundaries with explanations, involving children in decision-making processes, and creating a sense of cooperation are integral aspects. This approach promotes emotional intelligence, resilience, and a deepened connection between parent and child, creating a supportive environment for children to develop responsible behaviour and self-discipline.
It is important to try and listen without getting angry or upset. Put your own feelings aside, sit down and listen to what your child is telling you. Reflect what you have heard by ‘playing back’ to them what you hear.
You can ask them how they want you to take things forward, so they don’t feel excluded from deciding on next steps. Your child may fear reprisals if they report the bullying so they may need lots of support.
Reassure your child it’s not their fault. Remind them that being bullied isn’t about being weak and that the person who is doing the bullying has the issues and that is why they feel the need to make others feel this way. Encourage your child to try to appear confident by helping them build resilience as body language and tone of voice speak volumes.
If you and your partner decide to divorce, separate or end your civil partnership, you are required to make a parenting plan if you have children under the age of 18. The parenting plan contains the agreements you and your partner have made about the care and upbringing of the children.
Couples who are married, have formed a civil partnership or are cohabiting and share parental responsibility are required by law to have a parenting plan.
Parenting is a complex journey, and the “best” method varies for each family due to diverse values, circumstances, and individual needs.
Imagine it like different recipes for parenting. Some recipes say to be firm but loving, others say to be more relaxed. We explore these recipes, explaining what makes each one special. The key is to find the recipe that fits into your family well – one that compliments how you want to raise your kids and what your kids need.
Tantrums are a common part of a toddler’s developmental journey, and understanding the root causes is crucial for parents to navigate these challenging moments effectively. Sometimes, when little kids throw tantrums for no apparent reason, it could be because of how their parents treat them. Imagine if parents buy them lots of fancy toys and cars all the time. The kids might start thinking they deserve everything fancy. Now, when these kids go to school, they might act strangely, crying loudly or asking for things like air conditioning everywhere.
It’s like they’re used to being little kings and queens at home, but school doesn’t always have the same royal treatment. So, they get upset and throw tantrums because they’re not getting what they’re used to. It’s important for parents to help kids understand that the world isn’t always super fancy and that it’s okay. That way, tantrums can turn into learning moments with a little bit of understanding and a sprinkle of humour.
As parents navigate these challenges, it’s crucial to remember that perfection is not the goal. Parenthood is a journey of growth, both for parents and children. Mistakes are inevitable, and that’s okay. What matters most is the commitment to learning, adapting, and creating a loving environment for children to thrive.
So, to all the parents out there, take it one day at a time, trust your instincts, and cherish the small victories along this remarkable journey of raising resilient and happy individuals.