Hey there!
As parents, we all commit mistakes, right?
We are HUMAN after all.
There is no such thing as a ‘PERFECT PARENT.’
However, there are a few mistakes that are common to a lot of parents.
These are easy to avoid.
‘Mistakes are the Stepping Stones to Learning’
In this article, I’m going to tell you about the 7 MOST COMMON MISTAKES that almost every parent makes.
Read about them, and try to avoid these in your day-to-day parenting.
Parenting Tips: 5 Mistakes to Avoid
No #1: Negativity
Our attitudes are often coloured by our background or happenings around us.
But we need to swim against the current and maintain a positive attitude.
You can visualize that in the future your child will be a fine young man and that you will be able to nurture your helpless babe through all the successive stages into positive adulthood.
Even when circumstances look bleak and impossible, hold on to a positive outlook, if not for you but for your child.
Because children are adversely affected when their parents are in a negative state of mind.
No #2: LOVE MEANS T-I-M-E:
Sometimes parents give their child everything that money can buy but time is something they don’t have or don’t give to their children.
Time, attention and affection given to your child by you are the biggest gift you can give your baby.
This will help you in building a bond between you and your child that’ll last forever.
Neglecting your child will eventually alienate him from you.
Later, you may never get a chance to bond with them the way you can when they are young.
No #3: Don’t Project Your Negative Emotions Onto Your Child
By this, I don’t mean that you should not ever cry or be angry in front of your child.
But there are times when emotions border on hysteria especially if the pregnancy has been very difficult.
If you show fear all the time in the presence of your child—he/she might also grow up to be a very scared person.
Your child might be afraid to take any risks or never try anything new on their own which could become a big problem later on in their life.
No #4: Being overprotective:
Protect your child by all means, but don’t overdo it.
Mothers in some cases won’t let their children out of their sight.
They will be reluctant to let others care; at later stages, they hover near their children’s school/classrooms almost all the time (if they’re allowed to), or are constantly fighting their children’s battles.
Your child will not be able to grow if this happens.
Being overprotective can hamper your child’s growth and independence.
For example: If you don’t leave your child free to fall while learning to walk, he might learn to walk slower and his milestones may be delayed. If you keep holding his hand he might never become independent and self-sufficient.
No #5: Not disciplining your child:
Discipline is not a very popular word these days, but it is necessary.
It does not mean beating your child black and blue or shouting and screaming at him.
It basically means that you set a few boundaries for him/her and when they cross the line let them know that it is not acceptable and has consequences.
See: How to Discipline your child
Children need freedom but they should know conditions apply.
For example: – Hitting or pinching or stealing things, screaming abuses at someone etc.
No #6: Unrealistic Expectations:
Never force your child to meet your unrealistic expectations. For instance, a seven-
year-old child has a bed-wetting problem, don’t scold them or compare them to other
children of his/ her age for not responding appropriately to potty training. This will affect
their self-respect and lower their confidence in the future. Remember, every child is unique
and they have a separate level of physical and psychological development. Parents can get
frustrated and anxious with their slow development, but patience is the ultimate answer to
resolving any problem. Parental anxiety can easily get transferred to children, leading to a
high risk of childhood anxiety issues.
No #7: Pay Heed to their Problems:
You should make time to hear your child, despite your busy schedule. Listening to your child, makes them feel important and it helps to develop a strong bond with their parents.
If you want your kid to listen to your instructions, make sure you lead them by setting a right example. While raising a child, it is important to nurture your relationship with the child. If they feel emotionally neglected and their problems overlooked by their parents, this will estrange them from their guardian. Children might feel disappointed, depressed, shy and stay away from sharing their feelings with you in the future. Thus, making the child grow as rebels and frequently disobey their parents, making more mistakes.
In Conclusion
You are the parent and you have the final say.
Try your best and avoid these 7 parenting mistakes. They will help not only in your child’s development but also in your development as a BETTER PARENT. Good parenting always makes the child feel more confident, secured, disciplined and shows polite conduct in all situations.
