Since the beginning of time the question as to how to raise a child has been asked over and over again. As parents we incorporated many of the processes and ideals our parents taught us. As grandparents we see many of the same thought processes at work in our children as they raise their own.
Raising a natural child is a difficult task. Ask one hundred parents how to do it and you will get one hundred different answers. There is no right or wrong way. What matters is that the child is brought up in a happy and healthy environment in which he is loved, respected and cared for in every facet of his or her life.
However, here are some additional tips in the raising of your child:
- Be a parent first and a friend second.
- Hug and kiss your child every day.
- Offer praise on a task well done as well as stars for high marks in school.
- Enjoy a special time with your child. Set aside a few hours a day to laugh and have fun.
- Read to your child every night.
- Listen to your child, without judgment.
- Offer advice when asked and keep silent when necessary.
- Show interest in anything your child seems to relate to.
- Answer questions honestly and openly. Never lie.
- If your child makes a mistake, don’t demean or punish, but discuss and console.
- Provide proper nutrition and incorporate exercise in your child’s day.
- Do not use guilt to make your child do anything he or she does not want to do.
- Introduce your child to the arts including music, theatre, museums and dance.
These are just a few tips that you can utilize in raising a natural child. Each 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.