Self-Improvement
Harvard Psychologists Reveal Parents Who Raise Good Kids Do These 6 Things
Becoming a parent is a full-time job. It is hectic and draining but is one of the most wonderful things in the world!
If you are a new parent, you will struggle with the dos and don’ts of parenthood. If your baby’s on the way, you are probably worried about doing all the right things so that you raise a good kid.
But don’t fret. Here we have 6 tips straight from the experts at Harvard University. They shared these 6 tips to help parents raise their children right.
Even though there are no universal rules as to what should be and should not be done, these tips work effectively for everyone!
1. Spend time with your kids.
Everything starts with it. It is how you start building a healthy relationship with your child. Spend enough time with them, even if you have a hectic schedule for the day. Take out time for them. Listen to their problems and their concerns, their achievements and their goals. Show interest in their hobbies and listen to what they have to say. It will not only allow you to understand your child’s unique personality, but also provide time for you to bond with them. Your actions will also teach them how to show care and attention to others.
2. Always tell them what they mean to you.
Children are fragile creatures. They are innocent souls who constantly need love from their parents. Psychologists have done research in this regard. Their conclusions say that many children are unaware that they are the most important people in the world to their parents. How sad is that? Wouldn’t it crush your little baby’s heart not knowing just how valuable they are for you! Children need to hear it from their parents, over and over again.
3. Teach them not to run away from problems, as well as how to deal with them.
It is really important to instill healthy coping mechanisms in your children early on. You don’t want your children to become adults who do not know how to deal with a problem. So, for example, if they come to you saying they want to quit football, ask them why they want to do it or how it would affect their teammate. If they insist, help them find another passion.
4. Ask them to help you out with something every day and don’t forget to thank them for their assistance.
Research has shown that people who are habitual of expressing their gratitude tend to feel compassion for others, are more generous and love to help. Hence, it’s worth coming up with a set of activities daily and ask your child to help you and thank them every step of the way. It will help you impart this practice to them. Psychologists also recommend rewarding children for their genuine kindness and the effort they put into helping you. All of it also helps you bond with them and foster feelings of love and appreciation.
Must read: Psychologists Warn: Never Use These 7 Phrases When Talking to Your Children
5. Help your child deal with negative emotions.
Children are very delicate. They easily get disturbed by negative emotions. Psychologists believe that negative emotions, such as anger, shame, hatred and envy suppress our ability to care for others. Imagine the turmoil of emotions they would stir in an innocent child. It’s why it is important you help them comprehend these feelings. This way they will be able to solve their internal conflict, setting them on a long path to becoming compassionate, caring individuals. It will also help them achieve emotional stability.
6. Show them that the world is far bigger, more complex and more interesting than they could ever imagine!
Research has shown that children are interested only in their immediate world, their family and friends. It is very important that you make them take interest in the people and events outside this limited circle, which may differ from what they know in social, cultural and geographical terms. For this, you can be a good listener, who can place themselves in someone else’s shoes and feel empathy, whether it’s through films, photographs or the news.
Let’s end this article with some comprehensive advice from these psychologists: “Raising a child to be polite, caring, and compassionate is a very difficult task. But it’s exactly what all of us are capable of doing. And nothing else in the world will ever compare to the importance of this or the priceless joy you feel from it when it’s achieved.”
