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Nurture

7 Skills To Master For Better Parent-Child Relationship

ByJerni Camposano-GomezFebruary 22, 2023
asian family hugging each other
“There is no such thing as a perfect parent. So just be a real one.” — Sue Atkins
Parenting is fulfilling, but it can also be frightening. While it’s true that being a papa or mama to a little one can bring you immeasurable joy, it also doesn’t come without challenges.
It’s your role and responsibility to nurture a child’s physical, social, and emotional development. So ultimately, their relationship with you is something that will greatly affect how they will grow up and become their own person.
Foster a strong and loving parent-child relationship by ensuring you have the following skills. Remember though that it’s not about being the perfect parent — it’s about doing your best to raise a happy, healthy little one.

1.

Being patient

Parenting requires a great amount of patience. Meltdowns, tantrums, endless crying, screaming fits — a day in the life of a parent are filled with these. So it’s important to harness the power of patience: remaining calm, cool, and collected even in the face of adversities and annoyances. It’s about keeping your emotions in check while your child is acting out, making sure you respond to them in the most rational way. There’s a reason why everybody says that patience is a virtue.

2. Being a good listener

There are days when you just don’t have the energy to give your full attention to your child, maybe because you’re too tired from work or you have so many things on your mind. Unfortunately, doing this shows your child that you are not interested in what they have to say. It’s important to practice active listening as this improves your communication with your little one. When they feel heard, your child will most likely come to you to share their thoughts and dreams even when they get older.

3. Encouraging family time

They won’t be little kids forever. As they grow, their circle becomes bigger and will be spending more time with their friends and peers. Hence, it’s important that you establish a strong sense of family in your child by making sure you spend quality time together so you get to know them at different stages and phases of their life. There’s no doubt it strengthens family bonds and makes for a happier child.

4. Learning new things

There is no bigger learning curve than your first year as a papa or mama. Furthermore, learnings and relearnings will happen as you continue to parent your little one. Parenting a teen is a different ballgame from parenting a toddler. There will always be new things to discover so it pays to be open to new parenting methods and tips that will make you a better parent and help you understand your child better.

5. Being consistent with discipline

Parents struggle with being consistent with the rules they set for their child because they sometimes feel guilty or doubt their choices. But you have to remember that consistency is key when it comes to disciplining your kid. Your little one will constantly try to push the limits, so it’s up to you to teach them accountability for their misactions. It’s important though that you and your partner are on the same page when it comes to the ground rules of the family.

6. Encouraging independence

As much as you would want them to stay in your nest, your once-little child needs to slowly inch their way into the bigger world. It’s only a must for you to equip them with the necessary skills for them to succeed. Give them the confidence to make the right decisions in life and stand by these choices by encouraging independence, which is an important part of your child’s journey into adulthood.

7. Using words of affirmation

Your words have power so use them to let your child know they are loved and valued. When they hear you giving them positive affirmations, they will believe in themselves and will not be afraid to take on challenges in life. Your words will be the foundation of their self-esteem, so why not speak supportive and loving ones more often?
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