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By: JOSH MOORE
One of the most difficult challenges an adult can take on is raising a child. However, it’s also one of the most fulfilling and joyful journeys one can take, even if you feel a little unprepared. The key to raising a healthy and happy child ultimately comes down to boosting your child’s self esteem as early as possible, as well as effectively communicating with them. For individuals who may have not received this type of parenting as children may find implementing healthy parenting methods to be difficult. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be this way. Here are our top three resources for raising children at any age!
3 Tips for Raising Children Through Every Age
These resources are perfect for parents raising children of any age, and most can be applied at any stage of development.
Aim to Boost Your Child’s Self-Esteem
Most children begin developing self-awareness and a sense of being as babies. They start doing this through the context of how their parents interact with them. The tone you use when you speak to them, your facial expressions, your body language, and your actions all influence your child’s self-worth from the get-go.
Many parents don’t understand just how much their interactions with their infants influence how they perceive themselves as they grow into children and then adults. To take advantage of this period of development and help your child have a healthy sense of self, utilize praise. Praise their accomplishments, even the smallest ones. You should especially praise your children for doing things independently to help them feel self-assured and empowered.
On the other side of this, cruel or aggressive comments from an early age, even if well-intentioned, can permanently damage their sense of self worth. Exercise self-control, choose your words very carefully and always show your children patience. If you struggle with impulsive behaviors or emotional outbursts, ParentingNow suggests trying some simple self-regulation techniques, like practicing deep breathing exercises or playing calming music.
Focus on Positives Over Negatives
Think about how often your own parents might have reacted in a negative way to you on a daily basis throughout your childhood. Can you remember more negative reactions or positive reactions? Many parents make the mistake of punishing their children for negative behavior more than praising them for positive behavior. With all good intentions in place, this is not a good way to raise a healthy child at any age.
To combat this common issue, go out of your way each and every day that you spend with your child to find something to praise them about. This doesn’t have to just involve words, either. You can give them rewards for good behavior, such as gifts or physical affection in addition to verbal praise. Continue doing this through their teen years as well. You might find that there will be more instances of positive behavior throughout your child’s development as you apply this approach.
Consider Attending a Career-Focused College Part-Time
This is a pretty big responsibility, but going to college could seriously benefit you and your child in the long run. Online universities like Western Governors University are notoriously affordable, accredited, and accelerated so you can spend more time with your child while still working towards your future. WGU is career-focused and provides counseling and additional courses that can help students find jobs in lucrative fields like computer science, business administration, and nursing. They can also assist in finding internships quickly after graduating.
Not only are you giving yourself and your child the opportunity to live a more comfortable life, but you’re also showing your child that they can be whatever they want to be with hard work. More often than not, setting goals for yourself as a parent and being a role model for your children is more powerful in their upbringing than you might think.
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