Here are 5 things parents should be careful about

Parenting, is not easy as it is perceived. Whatever parents do and tells their children affect their social life. It is therefore required that parents should be careful when raising their children. These are five (5) things parents should be aware of:

1. Stop Comparing your Child/children With Other Children. Each human has his/her qualities. We are never the same, therefore, it is never appropriate to compare people. We all have what we can do best and what we aren’t good at.
   “Look at your friend. Why can’t you be like her?” may sound like motivation, but it can make your child feel inadequate. Instead, compare your child with their own previous progress: “You did better this time. Let’s work on this part.
2. Stop Dismissing Their Opinions.
   Your child may not always be right, but that doesn’t mean their thoughts are worthless. Listen first, then correct where necessary. Learning to express an opinion respectfully is also part of growing up.
3. Stop Embarrassing Them In Public.
   Correcting a child is sometimes necessary, but humiliating them in front of friends, siblings or other people can damage trust. When possible, handle sensitive corrections privately.

4. Stop Turning Every Conversation Into A Lecture.
   If every conversation ends with a long speech, your child may eventually stop telling you things. Sometimes they need you to listen before you teach. Ask questions, understand the situation and then guide them.
5. Stop Refusing To Listen Because “You Are The Parent.”
   Being the parent means you have responsibility and authority, but it doesn’t mean your child should never be heard. You can maintain boundaries while still listening to their concerns.

Remember:
Growing children still need rules, boundaries and correction.

But they also need to feel heard, respected, guided and trusted with age-appropriate responsibility.

You are not trying to raise a child who is afraid to speak to you.

You are raising someone who will eventually become an adult and need to make decisions without you standing beside them.

So as your child grows, don’t only increase the rules. Increase the communication too.

Quick Parenting Quiz — Be Honest:

1. Which one do you think parents do most often?
   A. Compare their children
   B. Dismiss their opinions
   C. Lecture too much
   D. Embarrass them publicly
2. When your child disagrees with you, what do you normally do first?
   A. Listen
   B. Correct immediately
   C. Get angry
   D. End the conversation
3. Have you ever realised that your child stopped telling you things because of how you reacted before?
4. Which one of these five are you personally working on as a parent?

Share this with another parent. Sometimes, we don’t realise that our children are growing and our parenting approach needs to grow with them.