Some people say that being a parent is a lot like being an artist; both require fine tuning and a little skill. There is no secret that kids who are well mannered, productive, and independent are a product of the parenting that they receive by their care givers. Every parent wants their child to be well behaved, well mannered and well rounded. Getting your kids to this point doesn’t require bribing, expensive schools or learning centers. All you have to do is follow some of the tactics that other parents are using in order to ensure that their children have a great start in life.
Give Choices: Beginning at a young age, many children begin to experiment with their own sense of style. At about the time when your children begin role playing, usually at about the age of three. You will begin to find that your child no longer wants to wear the striped shirt with the blue pants on Saturday; instead, maybe she wants to wear the polka dotted skirt with the pink Cami. Maybe this isn’t your idea of style, but to her; its a cry for freedom of choice. This isn’t just a ploy for attention; its a sign that your child is ready to begin choosing the clothing she wears. Perhaps its time to clean out the wardrobe and allow her to “Help” with the elimination process; being sure to keep her feelings in mind before you toss a favorite nightie; no matter how ragged it is. The next time you go shopping for clothes, take her along and let her choose outfits that she likes. Your child will be much happier and possibly neater if she knows the outfit she’s wearing was one she picked out or “Bought” herself. Of course, this is only one scenario; but there are literally dozens of opportunities to broaden your child’s awareness by giving choices.
Answer Their Questions: This one sounds tiresome, I know. Some children have a natural curiosity, and it seems that they want to ask a thousand and one questions about everything under the sun. Truthfully, a lot of these kids just want to be spoken too. The next time your child begins asking questions, make sure you take the time to answer some of them. If you are too busy to do it right then, schedule a time that your child will concept ; such as, “after dinner” or “during desert” then keep the appointment. If your child forgets, remind them. Let the child know that you care what they have to say, and are willing to make time to talk about whatever they want.
Ask Their Opinion: This involves you as the parent making the initiative to involve your child in a conversation that you might be having with the child or someone else. It’s easy to assume that children, especially young ones don’t have an opinion on any matters. If you have never engaged your child in conversation like this before, the first answer you get may very well be ” I don’t know.” They aren’t being silly. They may really not know what they think or how to express it in words. Its up to us to help them sort out thoughts until they can begin to do it on their own.
Engage Their Senses: When was the last time you took your child on a leaf hunt in the back yard, counted the dots on a lady bugs wings, or found funny shapes in the clouds? Children, like adults have a natural sense of wonder. What better way to teach your child crucial critical thinking skills than to get down on their level and explore the world from their point of view. How cool is that?
Broaden Their Horizons: If your lucky enough to be able to afford expensive family trips around the world with your children; introducing them to other cultures, cuisine, and mannerisms than consider this one as checked. If your like the majority of Americans who occasionally struggle to make ends meet, let alone take expensive trips, then this is for you. No matter your income, you can still expose your child to a world of culture without breaking the bank. Visit the community theater, go to an opera, listen to an orchestra, visit a museum or just stay in and rent a travel video. The point is that your child should be introduced to these things early so that they can learn an appreciation for the arts. Who knows, it could be the start of something that they want to pursue themselves.
Health And Fitness: In a world full of food choices, video games, and Internet, its important to remember that children need a balanced diet and plenty of outdoor play. organized team sports are a great way for children to build social skills, work as a team, and learn accountability to someone besides themselves. Most children enjoy organized sports, but if for some reason your child is not able too participate, than there is always alternatives such as swimming, horse back riding, or hiking. Be sure to limit sugar intake to promote a healthy lifestyle in your child. Allow them to choose what vegetables to have with dinner or decide what the healthy snack is going to be for the day. promoting healthy eating and exercise while they are young will up the chances that they will carry on that life style as adults.
Give Praise: This one is pretty self explanatory, but is one of the most important ways to ensure your child feels a sense of worth. Like the saying goes “catch them being good.” It’s great advice and applies to every child. If you see your child doing something that didn’t require you having to harp about it, don’t sigh with relief and think to yourself, “Finally…” before moving on with whatever menial chore that has your attention. Be enthusiastic. “Wow..I’m really impressed with the way you cleaned your room” Your child will probably beam ear to ear. Even if the child is older and they know your over exaggerating, they will still appreciate the compliment.
Many parents have already integrated some of these strategies into their parenting style and are seeing some pretty interesting results. Despite the variety of parenting styles and cultural divides; one thing is certain. Children will always need guidance in order to develop healthy bodies and healthy minds. These are but seven ways to help your child grow into responsible, independent adults.
