In the last decades, things have changed a lot which is the reason why all of us now have many new habits, different behavior, and points of view.
These changes have had a strong effect on today’s children, and an apt example of this is how much the kids are influenced by technology.
Technology has become important to the point it has started to play a crucial role in today’s children way of thinking and communicating. And that is only one of the situations that we hardly could have imagined.
It is little surprise then that parents these days have to deal with a lot of new issues which didn’t exist before. The primary challenge for them comes from the fact that there is a considerable difference between the way they were raised and the needs of their children. That makes finding an answer to the question how to raise good children even more complicated task?
What are the secrets of raising successful and happy people?
This issue has been widely discussed not only by parents but by experts as well. Studies and research have been conducted, and most of the specialists have concluded that the key to raising a well-rounded child is to provide solid support at home so that he or she grows up confident in themselves.
“The goal as a parent is to help your child feel competent and confident, and to help her develop a sense of passion and purpose,” says Susan Stiffelman, MFT, an educational therapist and author of Parenting Without Power Struggles.
Other significant findings regarding this matter were made by psychologists from Harvard’s Making Caring Common Project (MCC) who have prepared a list of the top 7 tips that could be the key to raising a good child in today’s world which is full of problems and dilemmas.
Even though these tips are quite simple, they are important and worth following.
You can find them below:
1. Try to be a good example for your kids.
First and foremost parents should remember the fact that kids learn from what they witness and experience. Since the parents’ behavior strongly influences children the mothers and fathers should always think about their words or actions and what consequences they could have for the kids. A good idea is to apologize for your mistakes after admitting them of course. Also, it is good to remind your children, that letting people down is not ok. This way the parent becomes an example and a role model for the children.
2. Earn your children’s respect.
Another important thing is respect, which can only be earned. To earn the respect of your kids, it is essential always, to be honest, open and responsible for your actions. This means taking responsibility and doing the right thing (even when it is not the most convenient thing to do). Also, try explaining to the children that bad things can happen but we should accept them as lessons and learn from them. This way you help your kids become better, more mature individuals who would treat you with respect even when you make mistakes.
3 Teach your children to respect other people.
In her new book, “Presence,” Harvard Business School professor Amy Cuddy proves that caring about others is necessary if we want to be happy. That is why parents need to teach their children to acknowledge other people’s feelings and points of view. It is also crucial that a child develops good communication skills and learns to share relevant information since a young age. Such capabilities could play a significant role in the child’s later life and help him or her to become successful both in their personal and professional life.
4. Teach him or her to be grateful.
It is a good thing to teach your children to be thankful for all they have in their lives, to show them what is the price of everything. A parent should teach their children not to take anything for granted. It is scientifically proven that people, who are grateful are more helpful, generous and empathetic. On top of that, such people are more happy and healthy.
5. Try making your children be kind to everyone.
Children have to know that their behavior is important and they could make a big difference in someone else’s life. So it is essential to teach them to be kind to others – even to those they do not know very well. The Harvard psychologists think that children need to learn to listen carefully not only to their close ones but to also take into consideration the opinions of the bigger range of people they communicate with every day.
6. Spend time with your kid/kids.
A good parent spends time with the children and is always there for them when they need their mother or father. Listening to the child and initiating conversations helps the parent to establish a strong relationship with the kid. It is also necessary for the parent and the child to do things together as that could strengthen the relationship.
7. Teach your children how to deal with their feelings.
You can explain to your children that all feelings are acceptable, but how we deal with them sometimes might not be quite right. Children need our help to learn how to cope with their feelings either good or bad in productive ways which wouldn’t do harm to others.
The tips listed above are some of the most important for a parent to follow but are not the only ones of course.
Eventually, what we should remember is that the most important thing when it comes to children is to love them and to manifest our love the right way.
If we want to raise good individuals, who can establish strong relationships and communicate openly try surrounding your children with love, happiness, and encouragement and try being a good role model for them.
And let’s not forget that no matter how difficult parenting might be, it is one of the worthiest and most important things we could do in our life. As Janet Reno says:
I have learned that raising children is the single most challenging thing in the world to do. It takes hard work, love, luck, and a lot of energy, and it is the most rewarding experience that you can ever have.
Do you have children? Do you agree with the advice provided above?
Please, share your opinion in the comments down below.