“Raising a well-mannered and responsible child is easy”, said no parent ever. Parenting is downright difficult. But no matter how overwhelming it may be, we still strive to do our very best to raise kids who are polite, have the right behaviors and who are going to be successful in the future. Proper behavior doesn’t only make parents feel proud, but it also helps children become happier and stress-free. It helps creates a positive impact on their emotional and social wellbeing, and it shapes them into becoming a responsible and successful grown up. There’s no better time to begin improving your child’s behavior than now and you can start it with the help of these tips.
Notice good behaviors
Just like in adults, praise and compliments are music to the ears of young kids. It makes them feel good when their positive behaviors are recognized. However, this is one of the several things many parents overlook. We tend to notice the bad behaviors more than the good ones. So, instead of constantly nagging your child about being stubborn or restless, catch them being good and let them know you notice it. Tell them how you like the way they showed kindness to a friend or shared their favorite toy with their sibling. It will encourage them to continue the positive behaviors in the future.
Handle stress with patience
How do you handle stressful moments when you’re with your kids? How do you react to poor customer service at a restaurant or deal with a traffic jam on a Monday morning? Dealing with situations that test your patience in front of a child can be very tough. However, these circumstances are excellent opportunities for children to learn about being adaptable. And during the rare times when you weren’t able to hold it anymore and lose your temper, don’t be afraid to apologize and explain to your child how things should be done differently.
Spend quality time with your kids
No amount of toys, gadgets and entertainment will ever replace the time parents spend with their children. Make quality time a daily priority. Make it a habit to have one-on-one time with your little one every day. Whether it’s preparing a meal, reading a book together, playing with their toys or just watching their favorite cartoons, the important thing is that you’re investing time in your children.
Be consistent with routines
Young kids respond well to routines. That’s why parents are encouraged to establish consistent and defined routines at home. Be sure to have mealtime, playtime and bedtime scheduled at the same time every day. However, it may also help if you ask them to decide how the routines will go. For example, you can ask them which part of dressing up they want to do first – brushing their teeth or combing their hair? The important thing is that you stick to the routine every day.
Communicate with your child
A child will always misbehave at one point or another. They don’t understand the concept of right or wrong. When correcting a child’s misbehavior, be sure to use the right communication. Never punish or correct them in public. Speak to them in private as soon as you get the chance. Find out what went wrong and hear them out. Let them explain their side and explain to them, too, why their behavior wasn’t acceptable.
Keep a positive and happy environment at home
A person’s positive and happy disposition begins at home. So, make sure that you create this kind of environment at home. Keep things fun and lighthearted even when you’re stressed out. Be a role model for your kids. Increase the energy and smile often. This kind of vibe is contagious and it will help your child develop a positive outlook, too.
As a parent, you have the ability to create the greatest impact on your child’s behavior. And if your goal is to start seeing better behavior from them, these tips will definitely come in handy!
Give your little one the best early childcare they deserve and send them to a school that doesn’t just teach them the right behaviors, but shapes them into better and more responsible adults. Please feel free to visit The Pillars Christian Learning Center for more information.