7 EASY WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR PARENTING SKILLS

Parenting is never easy. While good parenting is hard work. A good parent tries to make decisions in the best interest of the child. A good or better parent need not have to be perfect. After all, no one is perfect. Thus, no parent is perfect.

Similarly, no child is perfect either. It is important to keep this in mind when you set your expectations. But it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t work towards that goal.

Always, set high standards for yourselves first and then for your children. You serve as a role model for them.

At the end of the day, parents want to know what they could have done better for their kids. While "better" could be a subjective word, stills it's more suitable to ask whether you were aware, mindful, and concerned as a perfect parent.

In this article, Delhi's top relationship expert Shivani Misri Sadhoo talks about 7 easy ways to improve your parenting skills.

Follow-Through

Talking about a promise or an outcome of an event and the parents who don't follow through when a needed will may send confusing signals to the kids. "While you beg then yell and then threaten your kids with punishment for misbehaving, so eventually they comply but you do nothing," this way you taught your kids that you cannot be trusted & doesn’t mean what you say and thus your credibility is lost. "So, follow what you promised or said earlier.

Schedule Distraction-Free Time

The daily routine is very critical for kids of all ages and a greater part of this should be made sure that your child has all the undivided attention of yours. "When kids seem to be most difficult, they do it intentionally to get you attention," it is recommended setting aside at least 20 minutes undivided attention in a given period to your kids either play with them or talk to them about anything that interests them.

Have One Consistent Activity Daily

Parents often juggle many responsibilities on a day-to-day basis, but taking time out of your busy schedule for a special activity along with your kids enhances the parent-child bond. Parents are encouraged to have at least one specific life routine to do with their child on a regular basis if possible, this might be helping your child in studies, making and eating breakfast along with them, going for a walk post-dinner, or anything else which could be a part of your typical daily routine.

Label Feelings

Often like adults, kids do have a wide range of mixed feelings and emotions, and parents should be able to identify them aligned with the nature of their kids. Labeling your child's emotion will help the parent to be more in touch with themselves. For example, “If the child is frustrated or crying, hear him or her, be empathetic to what their feeling is." This may also help to openly label your own feelings as the parent, and kids realize that everyone gets sad, disappointed, etc.

Hand Out Compliments

As per the saying “when you fill someone's bucket, you fill your bucket too!” should be considered useful at home too, it is recommended to use the 5:1 ratio. Which is, for each 1 correction or the criticism you should give your child 5 positive encouragement or affirmations. “Positives are lighter like feathers and negatives or criticism are heavy like cement. Focusing on this ratio helps shape the interpersonal and self-confidence among your kids"

Monitor Screen Time

Try sitting with your children while they're active online and participate in what they are watching, reading, and in their activities. Facilitate them and participate in their learning, let your children know they can always talk to you on any topic, including what they watch online." This may help parents with added the advantage of using parental controls on mobile phones, tablets, and laptops to set time limits as well as approving what content your child can see.

Choosing A Positive Language

While it seems quite easier to tell a kid word like "no" or "stop," but using more positive words attached to it helps in their overall behavior it is quite obvious when parents see their child running down the hall and yelling to stop running, instead of using commanding words try saying 'walk please.'" Will improve in building congenial relations with them.