Has parenting got you feeling frazzled? Are you tired of reasoning with your kids only to be met with tears and tantrums? You’re not alone if you’re pulling your hair out while trying to raise happy, well-adjusted children. Parenting is hard work, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to the challenges that come with it. Also, nothing like ‘perfect’ parenting ever exists, so don’t beat yourself up if you’re not hitting all the marks.

That said, some tried, and true tips can help you navigate the choppy waters of parenthood. If you’re looking for advice on being a better parent, read for some tips that might help you find your parenting mojo.

Monitor Their Health Closely

Children are children; they’ll touch everything they can get their hands on. And they’ll later put it in their mouths. As a result, they’re susceptible to all sorts of germs and illnesses. Therefore, monitoring their health closely and taking them to the doctor at the first sign of illness is essential.

Keeping your house spick and span will also help reduce the spread of germs, so make sure to do your part in that department. Since you can’t mop all day, request every one to take their shoes off when they enter the house. Keep an eye on your kids, and do not let them play near old buildings or construction sites. Your vigilance can help reduce toxins like asbestos from causing harm. This chemical develops in the lungs, so it’s important to be proactive in preventing your children from coming into contact with it.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff:

It’s easy to get consumed in the day-to-day details of parenting, but you must remember that the little things aren’t always worth stressing over. If your child spills milk or tracks mud through the house, try to take a deep breath and let it go. Of course, there are times when you need to be firm with your kids and set boundaries, but it’s crucial to pick your battles.

When it comes to disciplining your children, be consistent. Children thrive on routine and predictability, so if you’re constantly changing the rules or being inconsistent with your punishments, it will only serve to confuse and frustrate them.

Boost Their Self-Esteem:

Do you have a self-doubting pre-teen or an insecure teenager? As parents, one of our most important jobs is to help boost our children’s self-esteem. You can raise their spirits to try new things and praise them when they do well.

Helping your child find their passion in life is also effective in building their self-confidence. If they’re interested in sports, art, or music, sign them up for lessons or classes and let them explore their interests.

For younger children, try to avoid putting them down or making comparisons to other kids. It will only make them feel inferior and could damage their self-esteem. Instead, focus on their positive qualities and tell them that you love them no matter what.

Practice Democratic Parenting:

While no parenting style guarantees ‘satisfied’ children, democratic parenting is an effective way to foster a positive parent-child relationship.

Democratic parenting encourages independence and self-regulation in children while still providing them with structure and limits. It’s based on the idea that children can make their own decisions. It also emphasizes giving them a say in the rules and expectations.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should let your kids run wild or give in to every demand. But it does mean that you should involve them in the decision-making process as much as possible and respect their opinions.

Make Time for Yourself:

Guilt is waiting to pounce on any parent who takes some time out for themselves, but it’s important to remember that you can’t be everything to everyone all the time. You need to take care of yourself physically and emotionally.

So, go ahead and leave the kids with their grandparents for a weekend while you and your partner take a much-needed vacation. Or sign up for that yoga class you’ve been meaning to try; it’ll untangle more than just your body. 

If these activities seem too demanding, pencil in some ‘me’ time for after they go to bed. Secretly dive into the tub of ice cream you’ve been hiding, or soak in the bathtub with the magical bath bombs you stashed away.

Walk the Walk:

We all know that actions are better advocates of intentions. But it’s especially true when it comes to teaching our children imperative lessons. If you want your kids to be honest, kind, and respectful, you must model those qualities yourself.

Be who you want your children to grow up to be. If you want them to be hard workers, show them the importance of putting in a good day’s work. If you want them to be environmentally conscious, recycle and compost. Donate to a worthy cause if you want them to be generous.

Another important aspect of modeling is how you handle conflict. If you’re constantly yelling and arguing with your partner or other family members, your children will think it’s okay to handle conflict similarly. Instead, try to resolve disagreements calmly and respectfully. These are some character-building qualities that you can instill at an early age.

Work on Building Trust:

Trust is an essential foundation for any relationship, including the parent-child relationship. Children need to know they can rely on their parents for support, love, and guidance. In addition, they need to feel safe to thrive.

One way to build trust is by being consistent with your words and actions. For example, if you say you’re going to do something, follow through. It sends the message that your word is good.

Another way to build trust is by being open and honest with your children. Don’t try to hide your flaws or pretend to be perfect. Instead, let them see the real you. It will help them understand that it’s okay to be imperfect and that they can come to you with anything, no matter how big or small.

Final Thoughts:

Just when you think you’ve got this parenting thing figured out, your kids will change the game on you. They’re constantly growing and evolving, so it is important to stay on top of the latest parenting information and tips.

So, read parenting books or articles, listen to podcasts, or watch YouTube videos on the subject. You can also talk to other parents in person and online to see what’s worked (or not worked) for them. The most important thing is to keep an open mind and be willing to try new things.