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Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff. There is no one right way to be a good parent, although there are many proven ways to be a flawed one, such as abuse, neglect, or overindulgence.
- How can parents bond with their children?Daily routines, and regular rituals, can be a powerful way to bond with children and help them feel emotionally secure. Time spent each day readi...
- Why is conversation so important for children?Research on the casual chitchat also known as banter has found that it is essential for children’s emotional development, and for their vocabular...
- How can parents get kids to cooperate?There are reasons why younger kids don’t always cooperate with a parent’s requests, even if the parent doesn’t immediately recognize them as good...
- Will getting a pet benefit young children?Research suggests that it will. Many studies have found that dog ownership helps younger kids learn responsibility and empathy, and potentially eve...
- What is free-range parenting?In many cities and states, local laws prohibit children under a certain age from either staying home alone or being outside without an adult presen...
- Can a parent ever be perfect?In a word, no, and no child can be perfect, either. But parents who believe perfection is attainable, in themselves or their kids, often struggle t...
- Is parenting primarily about being in control?It shouldn’t be. Many parents believe they should control children at all times, directing them to fit their own vision of what type of person th...
- How can parents make sure they present a united front to their kids?In many families, one parent emerges as the “fun one,” or the “good cop,” with the other wedged into the role of the serious one, or the “bad cop...
- How can a parent tell if a young child is being naughty or not?It can be tricky for parents of young children to recognize when a child is acting out and when there is a valid reason for what appears to be un...
- Enforce The Rules
- They Also Remain Flexible
- They Talk to Their Kids
- They Read to Their Kids
- They Spend Time Together
- They Allow Kids to Face Challenges
- They Respect Their Child’S Need For Independence
- They Spend Time Away from Their Kids
- They Love Their Children Unconditionally
House rules and boundaries do more than keep you sane; they also help a developing child feel stable and secure. An effective parent is clear about what a child is and is not allowed to do, the chores that they’re expected to completeand how they should treat other people (and pets) in the home. Of course, every child missteps here and there. After...
There’s enforcing the rules, and then there’s being overly strict. You need to keep a little flexibility at hand for certain situations. Making too many rules is likely to backfire. A study done by the University of New Hampshire concluded that overly strict parents actually raise children who are more likely to break the rules. Additionally, resea...
Effective parenting begins with effective communication. Even when children are just learning how to babble, they benefit from conversations with their parents. Chat about everything, from how his day was at school to how he feels about the upcoming baseball season to what he wants for his birthday this year. No topic should be off-limits. The long...
This goes hand in hand with talking to your child more often. Reading aloud exposes your child to new vocabulary, teaches new concepts and allows him to immerse himself in new worlds. A child who is read to frequently will have a greater understanding of grammatical structures and a stronger imagination—not to mention a wealth of facts at their dis...
Throughout your day-to-day life, you spend plenty of time with your child, right? After all, you go through the morning routine, your commute to school and work together, you eat dinner tonight, you tuck them in at night. However, none of this is true quality time, which a child needs with a parent in order to thrive. Aim to set aside 10 to 15 minu...
Adversity builds character, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to watch your child struggle. There will always be situations where your little one needs your help—or even a bailout of some sort—but as he gets older, take a step back to see how he conquers the challenges he faces on his own. If, for example, your child has been working hard to be named...
As early as 2 years old, a child is learning to make her own choices (and she’ll often be very vocal about them!) As she grows older, those choices are going to have more of an impact. While you don’t always have to agree with those choices, you should respect them (as long as it doesn’t jeopardize your child or another person in a significant way,...
You might feel like your children are your whole life and the whole world—that’s natural. But that doesn’t mean you have to be with them 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Parents need a break sometimes. Arrange some time away from your children for some self-care or to recharge your relationship. You (and your partner)get to make the decision about ...
Your love for your child shouldn’t have strings or limits, nor should your child feel like he needs to work for your affection. Highly effective parents make it clear that, no matter how many mistakes a child makes, they’ll always be there. They provide support, guidance, and love as their child grows. And they watch that child become a happy, resp...
Oct 5, 2022 · Parenting Tips. Listen to your kids. Stick to your rules. Be a good role model. Control your emotions. Be flexible. Show lots of love. Listen to Your Kids. Have you ever been so busy that you don't realize your kids are talking to you? Don't worry—it happens to the best of us.
- Communication. Being a parent involves constant communication. In the toddler days, that communication might look like, “Don’t touch that!” or “Don’t eat that!”
- Active listening. Many children love to talk. They want to tell you about their toys, the bug they saw at the park, and a million other thoughts that enter their growing minds.
- Empathy. As an adult, it’s easy to forget the challenges of being a child. And when they don’t listen to your instruction or start throwing a tantrum, frustration grows.
- Education. As a parent, you’re likely your child’s first teacher. You teach them to eat, walk, and talk long before they enter formal education. And even when kids start school, you still teach them by helping with homework and encouraging positive behaviors.
- Boost Your Child's Self-Esteem. Kids start developing their sense of self as babies when they see themselves through their parents' eyes. Your tone of voice, your body language, and your every expression are absorbed by your kids.
- Catch Kids Being Good. Have you ever stopped to think about how many times you react negatively to your kids in a given day? You may find yourself criticizing far more often than complimenting.
- Set Limits and Be Consistent With Your Discipline. Discipline is necessary in every household. The goal of discipline is to help kids choose acceptable behaviors and learn self-control.
- Make Time for Your Kids. It's often hard for parents and kids to get together for a family meal, let alone spend quality time together. But there is probably nothing kids would like more.
Nov 14, 2010 · Compassion Matters. How to be a good parent: It’s all about you! To be a better parent, focus on developing yourself. Posted November 14, 2010. So much of the information out there about how to...
Dec 10, 2022 · Raising Kids. Parenting Advice. 10 Ways to Be a Better Parent. From asking questions to practicing active listening, these tricks will help you be a better parent. By Kimberly Zapata. Updated...
