Being a parent is a huge responsibility. And believe it or not, the decisions or choices you make as a parent can have permanent imprints in the lives of your kids – no pressure.
Unfortunately, children don’t come with user manuals. And many parents have found themselves breaking under the pressure of parenthood. So, are you preparing to raise a family you’ll be proud of in the future? Then do your best to avoid these parenting mistakes.
Failing to create memories
Raising a family can be a very overwhelming experience. From juggling work with family duties and raising children, the responsibilities and pressures will come rushing in without warning. Unfortunately, many parents allow themselves to get lost in the process of providing for their children, that they miss the most important things. Of course, working to put food on the table is essential.
But being present to witness your child’s first steps is equally important. Providing clothes and shelter is vital, but spending quality time with your kids is also essential. You may end up with nothing to look back on if you don’t take the time to create and document memories. Go ahead and take as many pictures and videos as you can. You can also hire a professional family photography service for those perfect shots worth framing.
Being extremely harsh with punishment
There is a thin line between disciplining your child and just being extremely harsh with your choice of punishment. And many new parents end up crossing this line too often in their quest to ensure discipline, creating behaviour problems in their children. Kids are kids, and you should expect even the ‘best of them to make mistakes. It’s one of the ways they learn.
Parents should consider each mistake as an opportunity to correct, teach and guide. And you can’t achieve this by being overly harsh. It can be very irritating to see your child make the same mistake several times, even after teaching countless times. But you always be calm in your approach while exercising a generous amount of patience.
Living your dreams through your child
It is safe to assume that everyone has one dream or another. Sometimes, people end up stalling those dreams or jettisoning them mid-flight when other responsibilities show up.
But one mistake parents need to avoid making is trying to live their dreams through their kids. For example, you may have wanted to become a pro athlete when you were young. And because you couldn’t, you’re tempted to push your child in that direction. It sure will make you proud to see them attain the laurels you couldn’t. Almost every parent feels they know best, but you only need to guide, not impose.
Comparing with other children
Comparing your children with others or trying to make them like others is an absolute no-no! Every human is unique, and right from childhood, you should notice things about your kid that make them different from other kids. Accept your child the way they are, and help them grow to be the best versions of themselves, not anyone else.
