What does it mean to be a Parent?
Suppose
your child is getting ready for school and he is a little late. He might miss
the school bus because he must finish his breakfast too. Now the question is
- What should be your reaction as a
parent at that time?
You
have two options –
· One scolds him for being late and tells him to take
his sandwich or whatever he is eating in his hand and eat in the bus and just
run to catch the bus.
· Secondly, you tell him not to worry as an alternate
arrangement can be made to drop him off at school. So, he can take his time and
have his breakfast.
The
first style creates – fear and negativity.
The
second style creates – love and positivity.
Your
parenting style will have a major impact on your child’s personality, thought
process, and the way he will tackle problems when he grows up.
What
is parenting?
Parenting
is the easiest thing in the world to have an opinion about, but the toughest
thing in the world to do. Parenting is neither a cakewalk nor just a robotic attention
to the needs of a child. It is to provide basic needs for their physical,
emotional, social, and intellectual development right from infancy to
adulthood. It is the act and attitude of unconditional love.
What does it require to be a good
parent?
There
are no hard and fast rules to be a good parent. That is what makes parenting so
difficult. There is a beginning but no end to this. You need to be an involved
parent. Parenting is different for different individuals and different
situations. Not every parenting style is in the child’s best interest. Children
need:
·
Your affection and
appreciation
·
To be accepted the
way they are
·
A stable and
consistent environment
·
Your permission to
make choices and explore independence
·
To be led by an
example
·
Your support to
experience failures
·
Space to develop
their own interests
·
Love, validation,
and emotional security
·
Your encouragement
and respect to feel important
As
a parent, you try to give your best to your child but don’t forget that your
child has his own temperament, his own personality, a different way of thinking
which is quite different from yours.
As
a parent, we think that children are everything for us. This is where we go
wrong!! They are a part of our life. Nurture them and protect them when
necessary. We all want our children to be successful and the best among their
peers. Never ever try to make them the best product available on this earth.
Every step that you take as a parent should be made with a goal in mind to make
your child responsible and an independent person who can get on well with his
life.
It’s
impossible for a parent to be a perfect parent. But if you think that being a
perfect parent is attainable, you need to be self-critical and adjust to the
changing needs of a child as he grows and develops. Today’s children are the
most impressionable and should learn and cultivate proper habits and manners
before it’s too late to shape their character.
Always
remember that you are not raising a kid; you are raising an adult who has to
face the challenging situations in this world.
|
Points to remember: Parenting your kid requires your
time, love, understanding, and patience Your love for the child is
incomparable You are a role model for your child.
Lead by example You as a parent need to be
consistent It is a beautiful thing to be a
parent. Just watch them learn and grow
|
Read another guest post by Seema Dhall: How Parents Can Encourage Their Kids to Speak Up
This post is written for the blogchatter Half Marathon.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
You can check out my AMAZON STOREFRONT link and Facebook and Instagram page.
Let's discuss What advice would you share with the
"New Parents"?
As someone who's not a parent, I still understand the importance of being a role model. Leading by example isn't just for parents – it's a great way to show the younger generation how to navigate the world with integrity.
ReplyDeleteI am considering having a child with my partner and this is really helpful to read while navigating the decision making process. Thank you! Sel | www.latinally.com
ReplyDeleteGetting rid of the ego and living the life we want is a rare opportunity that we choose to help others. As parent also our actions should model others .
ReplyDeleteThere is no right or wrong parents. We need to do things mindfulness without loosing our temper. When we connect with our child things go easier.
ReplyDeleteParenting is not easy. My parents brought us up with utmost love and care. We never had any restrictions and I realise how confident it has made us. We are unafraid to handle anything. But I find that there is no right or wrong parenting. After all, parents also raise kids for the first time.
ReplyDeleteI am a parent of a generation without internet and my ideas will be pretty outdated compared to your modern ones.
ReplyDeleteParenting is the easiest thing in the world to have an opinion about, but the toughest thing in the world to do. So True!
ReplyDeleteVery nice post, so many things one can learn and correct.
You need to have ample patience to deal with your children because they will behave childish.
DeleteAs someone who was a clueless parent for a big chunk of my life, I really appreciate this post. It is a beautiful reminder of how careful nurturing can mould a child into anything. Parenting is tough and demanding and sometimes we may react in ways that transfer our negative feelings onto the child, this is a reminder that the child needs to feel supported and protected at all times.
ReplyDeleteNice post by Seema... I really liked it! As a parent it is totally relatable and understandable how our reaction to certain things affects the entire situation.
ReplyDeleteI liked how this post started with an example, it had made it easy understanding. And moreover the line 'we think that children are everything for us. This is where we go wrong!! They are a part of our life. Nurture them and protect them when necessary.' this is something my mother used to say. Very well written.
ReplyDeleteParenting is like opening a new chapter every day! Yes we all need advice from our well-wishers but at the same time, we should not back off for doing what we feel is right.
ReplyDeleteParenting is such a complex part of every adult who becomes a parent. It's the time you get to transform into another level of adulthood that you never expect to be before. A moment in every parent's adult life that's most special- MommyWithAGoal
ReplyDeleteYou must be a wonderful parent is what I understood about the blog post you wrote about parenting. Kudos ✨✨🤩 I am sure the next gen is going to be better. Because of such valuable parenting.
ReplyDeleteGreT, your post beautifully captures the essence of parenting. It's a reminder that there's no one-size-fits-all manual for being a good parent, and every child is unique. The list of what children need, from affection to independence, serves as a valuable guide. Thanks for sharing these insights on the complex and rewarding journey of parenthood!
ReplyDeleteAnjali
Thanks. Your positive comments will help me to come up with more blogs on parenting. Next planning to write on discipline . Soon you can read on my blog.
DeleteThis post beautifully captures the essence of parenting. It's a reminder that there's no one-size-fits-all manual for being a good parent, and every child is unique. The list of what children need, from affection to independence, serves as a valuable guide. Thanks for sharing these insights on the complex and rewarding journey of parenthood!
ReplyDelete-Anjali
Parenting is a typical job with no specific rules for the same. Just like no child is same, in a similar fashion no parent or parenting style can be same. One thing that I feel is same is the urge to know the child and the desire to shower the best for his/her wellbeing ..... these feelings are same atleast in the parents of now (current generation of parents). We need to be understanding, loving and equally strict as that what will decide how connect with our child to make them feel secured and happy with us. In short Parenting is an art.
ReplyDeleteEven though I'm not a parent, I recognise the value in setting an example for others. There are no particular guidelines for parenting; it is a usual profession. No parent or parenting style can be the same, just as no child is the same. The younger generation can learn how to navigate the world with integrity by watching their parents and other adults in authority.
ReplyDeleteBeing a parent is such a blessing. Life changes totally not just physically but mentally too. Become more patient, adaptive, empathetic and in so many ways. Being a good role model to your kids is not easy and is so important.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right. Everyone has an opinion on parenting but the toughest thing in the world to do. There is nothing as a perfect parent. We all try our best.
ReplyDeleteI am not a parent but I do see parents judged at every step for their children. Our parents provide us the best for us. How we shape our lives with that is our own doing.
ReplyDeleteTrue. But how the child is shaped is not only because of parenting, there are other external factors like friends, classmates, environment at school etc. everything matters.
DeleteParenting for me is something that doesn't come with a manual. And there are no rules. It all depends on the child and his/her needs. As parents we need to modify ourselves to suit the child and whatever is good for him/her.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. Different situations demand different solutions and different ways to handle those situations.
DeleteTake it one day at a time. Nobody is perfect. Our kids do not expect perfection.
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful pst indeed. I think its very important what a child sees and learns at home because the impact of parenting can be seen throughtout their adult life. What should be of utmost importance is the sense of security and love in a child's life.
ReplyDeleteParenting is definitely the most challenging job in this entire world! My main goal is to make my kids feel loved and secure.
ReplyDeleteThere's no one-size-fits-all manual for being a parent. It's about being mindful, staying patient, and connecting with your child. When we build that connection, everything just seems to flow more smoothly.
ReplyDeletePatenting is a real challenge these days specially dealing with covid babies as they are totally born in a different scenario. Even young and teens are need to be dealt with smartly. Your post need to be read by all
ReplyDeleteMost parents follow a middle path guided by their own personalities. For example, this school bus situation is inherently flawed. Most parents would scold their child (in the hope that it doesn't happen again!) and still drop them off to school or find alternate arrangements. But of course, overall some very useful points. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteNoor