Raising a natural child is a difficult task. Ask a thousand parents how to do it and you will get one thousand different answers. in fact you will find there is no right or wrong way. What matters the most is that your child is brought up in a happy and healthy environment, an environment where he or she is loved, respected and cared for in every facet of their life, and that they know you will always hold them in your heart and be there for them when needed.
Here are some additional tips in the raising of your child that I try to incorporate in my life:
- Be a parent first and a friend second.
- Offer praise on a task well done as well as stars for high marks in school.
- Hug and kiss your child every day.
- If your child makes a mistake, don’t demean or punish, but discuss and console. This is a big one. Let kids learn from natural consequences.
- Read to your child every night. I do this with my 5 year old and it has helped us bond and grow closer.
- Listen to your child, without judgment.
- Do not use guilt to make your child do anything he or she does not want to do.
- Enjoy a special time with your child. Set aside a few hours a day to laugh and have fun.
- Offer advice when asked and keep silent when necessary.
- Get physical – what I mean is get outside and play together.
- Show interest in anything your child seems to relate to.
- Introduce your child to the arts including music, theatre, museums and dance.
- Answer questions honestly and openly. Never lie to your kids.
- Provide proper nutrition and incorporate exercise in your child’s day.
These are only a few tips that you can try in raising a natural child. Every parent, however, has to go through the process of being a parent. It takes time, but it’s worth every precious moment.
Today, more than at any other time, raising children is a daunting task. With so many outside influences one hardly knows where to begin. Trust your own instincts, they will never fail you. More importantly, remember that your child is relying on you to counsel, teach, listen and solve most of their problems. At some point you will have to send them out on their own and allow them to learn from their own mistakes. But until then, just love them and keep them always in your heart.
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