Advice on Child Rearing

A parent’s biggest concern is ensuring their child grows up to be healthy, happy, and overall, a good person. As a parent, you play a huge role in shaping your child and who they become as adults. It can be tricky raising kids though, you want to discipline them but not be too strict. The best thing you can do as a parent is find a healthy balance for your children.

Disciplining Your Child in Public

This can be the most difficult thing for parents because it can be hard to scold your child. However, a common misconception is that disciplining has to be a negative thing. Instead of viewing disciplining as a bad thing, you should instead view it as a way to show your child the right way to behave.

A person has experienced at least once in their life being in a store and a child is throwing a tantrum. It’s usually because they want something and their parent is telling them no or ignoring them. The situation usually ends with either the parent yelling at the child to stop which results in more tears or the parent gives in and buys the child whatever it is they wanted. Both these instances are not solutions and they don’t discipline your child. Instead, you should explain to your child while they cannot act like this when they don’t get what they want. You can promote better behavior by telling them, “You can have the treat or toy but you must ask nicely.” If they continue to throw a fit, you will want to calmly and firmly repeat your request. Do not give in and just buy the treat because this will show them that if they yell and scream, they can get whatever they want. Children learn by mimicking behaviors and if you respond by yelling and getting upset, they will react in the same way. It can be hard to act calmly in the moment, especially when people are staring at your sobbing child, but it is important to know you are teaching them a lesson.

Teaching Your Child the Importance of Chores

Chores are an important lesson that every child should learn. Not only does it teach them to help you out around the house, it also shows them responsibility. Usually the most effective way to get them to want to do these chores is to offer an allowance to them. However, you can also offer them items they want in exchange for a week of chores.

Overall, the best thing when discipline and teaching your child is to be patient, kind, and be consistent. If a certain behavior is not something you want them to do, then make sure to let them know each time.

For more tips and advice on child rearing, please refer to our next blog post!