Raising a child is a full-time job; sadly, no matter how long you look, you will not find a perfect manual for bringing up your child. However, several studies have identified that some parenting practices and characteristics are more likely to push your child towards success. Here in this article, we have a list of some tips from parents who have succeeded in raising responsible and successful kids who are an asset to society. Read on to know them all.
1. They Don’t Sugarcoat The Truth
According to studies, parents who lie to their children, even to shield them from the harsh reality of the world, may set them up for a more difficult transition into adulthood (1). The temptation to lie when confronted with a challenging question from your child is strong. However, this might give the wrong message to your child, especially if they have also been taught that “honesty is the best policy.”
2. They Don’t Overshare About Their Children On The Internet
Many children today have experienced a new privacy invasion in the digital age: their parents posting personal information and images of them online. Many “Instagram parent” influencers have made a living by showing the world their kids’ everyday life, and they still encourage their kids to provide content. It’s not only that kids can’t handle it or that it poses real risks to their safety; it could also hurt their confidence.
3. They Urge Children To Go On Trips
There’s nothing better than seeing the world and learning about other cultures, histories, and customs through travel. Travel is really beneficial for young people as well. An individual’s intellectual curiosity, agility, and self-assurance may all benefit from a healthy dose of travel (2). They mature into respectable, sociable individuals with open minds.
4. They Appreciate Their Child’s Efforts
There are two methods to express admiration for a person’s intelligence: “You’re so smart!” or “You worked incredibly hard and thought it out!” The first and second examples promote a fixed or a development attitude, respectively. To children with a fixed worldview, their abilities are predetermined and unchangeable. However, kids are motivated to improve and not give up if their efforts are praised. Children who adopt a development mentality are more prepared for adulthood and are less likely to back down from challenges. On the other hand, people with just a fixed mentality sometimes feel hopeless and helpless when they realize that their intrinsic skill isn’t sufficient to solve the challenge at hand.
5. They Make Time For Their Work Or Hobbies
There is great honor in having a working mother. Harvard Business School found that compared to their classmates whose mothers stayed at home, kids whose mothers worked outside the house were more likely to go on to higher levels of schooling, get management positions, and make more money (3). These women also tend to have partners who are more willing to help with housework and child care.
6. They Have A Healthy Relationship With Their Partner
When parents fight, it harms their children, compared to when they are content. Children in homes whose parents argue frequently are more likely to experience emotional and social challenges and difficulties focusing and succeeding academically. Because of the lack of a positive example to follow, these kids may unwittingly imitate their parents’ unhealthy relationship patterns as adults. Children who grow up in stable households are less likely to engage in unhealthy romantic relationships and exhibit more emotional maturity.
7. They Are Authoritative, Not Authoritarian
Psychologists have established that there are three distinct approaches to parenting: permissive, authoritative, & authoritarian. Authority figures lead their children, supporting their passions and instilling a sense of responsibility, while the permissive & authoritarian models cope with the polar opposites (4). As a result, the offspring of such parents tend to mature into responsible, self-reliant individuals.
8. They Make Children Help Them Out In Chores
Numerous studies have found that children who participate in chores have better outcomes in adulthood (5). We’ve learnt that kids learn best from activities designed for their age group. Chores are a great way to teach kids the value of working together, being responsible with their time, and finding creative solutions to problems. Therefore, kids can develop into caring, cooperative adults.
Raising children is one of the most challenging tasks you will ever undertake. However, ask any parent, and they will tell you seeing their child grow into a responsible being is the most rewarding feeling ever. So, make sure you are not too hard on yourself and live each day as it comes. So, what is your secret to having well-behaved children? Let us know in the comments section.