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Once you are a parent, you are a parent for life. The parenting role is one of responsibility and one you can’t really predict. Every parent-child relationship is different and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. It’s important that you find a parenting approach that works well for you and always be prepared to make adjustments that will improve the relationship between you and your children.
Parenting is a fantastic journey but it can be overwhelming at times. It’s important to be patient and work through the challenges with support from your partner, friends and family. Seeking parenting advice from Nutricia Careline is a great option for those looking for a little extra help. Whatever you do, be sure to enjoy the journey and do the very best you can for your child.
Continue reading for some useful and let’s take a look at the golden rules of parenting that you should never break.
Take Care Of Yourself
As the old adage goes “you can’t pour from an empty glass”. We need to have something to be able to give to others. It’s important that you make time to look after yourself and spend time ensuring you stay healthy so you can take care of your family. Be careful not to burn the candle at both ends, eat a healthy diet and make time for exercise.
So that you can take the best possible care of your children, allow yourself to recharge, attend to your needs and find time for activities that energize you, like running, having coffee with friends, going to movies, and having alone time with your partner. Remember that you are setting an example and are teaching your children a valuable lesson that a person’s needs matter regardless of how busy life gets.
Be Consistent
One of the key elements of any relationship is knowing what the boundaries are and respecting them. Our children need discipline and boundaries as much as they need love. The trick is finding the right balance of control and for your children, and this balance will differ for each family.
In order to set behavioral guidelines in place for your children, they need to know the boundaries and consequences of breaking them. However, you will probably find that children will test your boundaries in an attempt to see how far they can push it. If you are consistent and keep your word, they will stop the testing process since the result is always the same. With this approach, your child will expect predictability, you are setting the right expectations and showing them they can rely on you and your promises which all amount to the foundation of trust.
Behave As You Would Like Them To Behave
Children will do as you do, not as you say. The truth is children learn much more from their parents’ behaviour and actions than they do from words and instructions. Children learn how to act, and face life situations primarily by watching their parents and that is why they are so often mimic their parents. However, this doesn’t mean you should never make a mistake. Mistakes are a part of life and your children should learn how to deal with them in the right way.
Your Family Is One Of A Kind
Being a parent is one of the hardest and most rewarding jobs on the planet. What makes it hard, amongst other things, is the knowledge that every change we want to see in our children needs to start with us first. This can be exhausting at times, so don’t be surprised if you feel overwhelmed. Be sure to take care of yourself so you have enough energy and strength to strive to be an amazing parent.