Summary
- Be involved in your child’s life.
- Set clear limits and expectations.
- Model the behavior you want to see in your child.
Raising a child is one of the most rewarding and important jobs a person can have. It can also be tough. Sometimes it can be hard to know what to do as a parent. Here are some ways to build a strong and loving relationship with your child.
Be involved
- Play with your child. Get down on the floor with little ones. Teach older ones to throw and catch a ball. Find an activity that you and your teenager can enjoy together.
- Make bedtime special. Read to younger ones. Play games with older kids. With all ages, make a habit of reconnecting at bedtime by talking about your days.
- Eat together as a family. If dinner together isn’t possible every night, aim for at least one night a week. If there’s time, sit down for breakfast in the morning.
- Attend your child’s sports games, recitals, and other events.
- Get involved with your child’s school. If you can’t volunteer in the classroom, join the PTO and attend monthly meetings. Chaperone a school field trip, attend school assemblies, and get to know your child’s teacher.
Know when to step back
- Let your child make mistakes. No one wants to see their child unhappy, but life isn’t always a smooth ride. If you always rush in to fix things, your child will never learn to come up with her own solutions.
- Let your child take risks, within reason. Whether it’s climbing the monkey bars or trying out for the lead in the school musical, your child will gain confidence in his own abilities even if he doesn’t make it the first time.
- Be available for help when your child does homework, but don’t do it for her.
Be consistent
- Set clear limits and expectations for your child. This is how he will learn to behave in the world. Be consistent in enforcing these limits.
- Make sure your child knows the rules and the consequences for breaking them. When possible, let the punishment follow naturally from the behavior. Take toys away from a toddler who throws them. Let your teenager go without her phone for a day if she forgets it at school.
- Give your child responsibilities. Chores will help your child feel independent and increase his self-esteem. Make sure the chores fit your child’s age. A 3-year-old can put his own toys away. A 12-year-can do laundry.
Be loving and respectful
- Allow your child to be herself. Let her wear her tutu to the supermarket if she wants. Draw the line at behavior that is disrespectful or harmful to your child or to others.
- Catch your child being good. When you praise him, be specific about why.
- Always tell the truth. Giving in to the temptation to fib will only teach your child that lying is acceptable.
Be a good role model
Your child takes her cues from you, so model behavior you want to see in her.
- Treat others with respect. Use good manners with your family. Don’t speak poorly of other people or compare your child to others.
- Apologize when necessary. Nobody is perfect all the time and even parents make mistakes.
- Make time for the things you love, whether it’s creating art, playing sports, or relaxing with a book. It’s good for your sense of well-being and will give your life the balance you need to be a good parent.
Source: "Raising a Happy and Healthy Child," Childrenﾒs Trust, www.onetoughjob.org/articles/child-mental-health-raising-a-happy-and-healthy-child?gclid=CjwKCAjwrO_MBRBxEiwAYJnDLISipHrNy8phnxiYjU0l2-g0VsOLSQhsLTeR1NfmMJ5Po0-Wj2MlmhoCrwEQAvD_BwE; "9 Steps to More Effective Parenting," KidsHealth,
http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/nine-steps.html#
Summary
- Be involved in your child’s life.
- Set clear limits and expectations.
- Model the behavior you want to see in your child.
Raising a child is one of the most rewarding and important jobs a person can have. It can also be tough. Sometimes it can be hard to know what to do as a parent. Here are some ways to build a strong and loving relationship with your child.
Be involved
- Play with your child. Get down on the floor with little ones. Teach older ones to throw and catch a ball. Find an activity that you and your teenager can enjoy together.
- Make bedtime special. Read to younger ones. Play games with older kids. With all ages, make a habit of reconnecting at bedtime by talking about your days.
- Eat together as a family. If dinner together isn’t possible every night, aim for at least one night a week. If there’s time, sit down for breakfast in the morning.
- Attend your child’s sports games, recitals, and other events.
- Get involved with your child’s school. If you can’t volunteer in the classroom, join the PTO and attend monthly meetings. Chaperone a school field trip, attend school assemblies, and get to know your child’s teacher.
Know when to step back
- Let your child make mistakes. No one wants to see their child unhappy, but life isn’t always a smooth ride. If you always rush in to fix things, your child will never learn to come up with her own solutions.
- Let your child take risks, within reason. Whether it’s climbing the monkey bars or trying out for the lead in the school musical, your child will gain confidence in his own abilities even if he doesn’t make it the first time.
- Be available for help when your child does homework, but don’t do it for her.
Be consistent
- Set clear limits and expectations for your child. This is how he will learn to behave in the world. Be consistent in enforcing these limits.
- Make sure your child knows the rules and the consequences for breaking them. When possible, let the punishment follow naturally from the behavior. Take toys away from a toddler who throws them. Let your teenager go without her phone for a day if she forgets it at school.
- Give your child responsibilities. Chores will help your child feel independent and increase his self-esteem. Make sure the chores fit your child’s age. A 3-year-old can put his own toys away. A 12-year-can do laundry.
Be loving and respectful
- Allow your child to be herself. Let her wear her tutu to the supermarket if she wants. Draw the line at behavior that is disrespectful or harmful to your child or to others.
- Catch your child being good. When you praise him, be specific about why.
- Always tell the truth. Giving in to the temptation to fib will only teach your child that lying is acceptable.
Be a good role model
Your child takes her cues from you, so model behavior you want to see in her.
- Treat others with respect. Use good manners with your family. Don’t speak poorly of other people or compare your child to others.
- Apologize when necessary. Nobody is perfect all the time and even parents make mistakes.
- Make time for the things you love, whether it’s creating art, playing sports, or relaxing with a book. It’s good for your sense of well-being and will give your life the balance you need to be a good parent.
Source: "Raising a Happy and Healthy Child," Childrenﾒs Trust, www.onetoughjob.org/articles/child-mental-health-raising-a-happy-and-healthy-child?gclid=CjwKCAjwrO_MBRBxEiwAYJnDLISipHrNy8phnxiYjU0l2-g0VsOLSQhsLTeR1NfmMJ5Po0-Wj2MlmhoCrwEQAvD_BwE; "9 Steps to More Effective Parenting," KidsHealth,
http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/nine-steps.html#
Summary
- Be involved in your child’s life.
- Set clear limits and expectations.
- Model the behavior you want to see in your child.
Raising a child is one of the most rewarding and important jobs a person can have. It can also be tough. Sometimes it can be hard to know what to do as a parent. Here are some ways to build a strong and loving relationship with your child.
Be involved
- Play with your child. Get down on the floor with little ones. Teach older ones to throw and catch a ball. Find an activity that you and your teenager can enjoy together.
- Make bedtime special. Read to younger ones. Play games with older kids. With all ages, make a habit of reconnecting at bedtime by talking about your days.
- Eat together as a family. If dinner together isn’t possible every night, aim for at least one night a week. If there’s time, sit down for breakfast in the morning.
- Attend your child’s sports games, recitals, and other events.
- Get involved with your child’s school. If you can’t volunteer in the classroom, join the PTO and attend monthly meetings. Chaperone a school field trip, attend school assemblies, and get to know your child’s teacher.
Know when to step back
- Let your child make mistakes. No one wants to see their child unhappy, but life isn’t always a smooth ride. If you always rush in to fix things, your child will never learn to come up with her own solutions.
- Let your child take risks, within reason. Whether it’s climbing the monkey bars or trying out for the lead in the school musical, your child will gain confidence in his own abilities even if he doesn’t make it the first time.
- Be available for help when your child does homework, but don’t do it for her.
Be consistent
- Set clear limits and expectations for your child. This is how he will learn to behave in the world. Be consistent in enforcing these limits.
- Make sure your child knows the rules and the consequences for breaking them. When possible, let the punishment follow naturally from the behavior. Take toys away from a toddler who throws them. Let your teenager go without her phone for a day if she forgets it at school.
- Give your child responsibilities. Chores will help your child feel independent and increase his self-esteem. Make sure the chores fit your child’s age. A 3-year-old can put his own toys away. A 12-year-can do laundry.
Be loving and respectful
- Allow your child to be herself. Let her wear her tutu to the supermarket if she wants. Draw the line at behavior that is disrespectful or harmful to your child or to others.
- Catch your child being good. When you praise him, be specific about why.
- Always tell the truth. Giving in to the temptation to fib will only teach your child that lying is acceptable.
Be a good role model
Your child takes her cues from you, so model behavior you want to see in her.
- Treat others with respect. Use good manners with your family. Don’t speak poorly of other people or compare your child to others.
- Apologize when necessary. Nobody is perfect all the time and even parents make mistakes.
- Make time for the things you love, whether it’s creating art, playing sports, or relaxing with a book. It’s good for your sense of well-being and will give your life the balance you need to be a good parent.
Source: "Raising a Happy and Healthy Child," Childrenﾒs Trust, www.onetoughjob.org/articles/child-mental-health-raising-a-happy-and-healthy-child?gclid=CjwKCAjwrO_MBRBxEiwAYJnDLISipHrNy8phnxiYjU0l2-g0VsOLSQhsLTeR1NfmMJ5Po0-Wj2MlmhoCrwEQAvD_BwE; "9 Steps to More Effective Parenting," KidsHealth,
http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/nine-steps.html#