As a parent, there can be a lot of pressure to be the best that you can be. Between perfect families portrayed on television and Pinterest boards, it’s easy to start second-guessing whether you’re a good enough parent.
However, being a good parent isn’t always something that you can learn from a book. Ultimately your children have very simple needs and require the basics without all the frills. Before you start packing their school lunches in mason jars and hand sewing their off the runway Halloween costumes take a look at some of the more simple ways you can be a better parent.
Get Enough Rest
One of the most important things that you can do as a parent is to get a good night’s sleep. When you run yourself ragged, you don’t have enough energy to give your kids and may feel impatient about things you wouldn’t otherwise be anxious about.
In order to do the best job you can do with them, you’ll need to make sure that your tank is full. Running on empty isn’t going to do you any favors. Make sure that you get at least eight hours of sleep a night. Remember, rest isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity, especially when it comes to being a good parent.
Use Positive Reinforcement
A lot of parents come down on their children expecting them to improve by pointing out their faults. However, studies prove that you can create much more confident children by telling them what you like about them rather than dislike.
Focusing on their strengths and helping them by using positive reinforcement will not only create a stronger bond with themselves but also their relationship with you as a parent.
Slow Down
When your to-do list piles up, it can be easy to start moving a million miles an hour. As the pressure to get everything done starts to build, you want to get it out of the way.
However, as a parent, you quickly start to learn that the pile never ends. There will always be something new that replaces the task you’ve just finished, just like the laundry hamper, it will never be empty.
Rather than missing out on special moments with your children, slow down and let tasks slide every now and then. In twenty years when they’ve moved on from the nest, you’ll appreciate the moments you cherished together more than the fact that you sanded and repainted the cabinets.
Show Your Children Affection
Children thrive from affection and love. Be sure to show your children plenty of hugs and cuddles and words of affirmation. They’ll be much more confident children, and that confidence will transfer on to their adulthood.
