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Every single thing we do with our children influences them in one way or another. Of course, as parents, we want to influence them in the best way possible, one that will help them become healthy, self-confident and capable adults one day. This type of parenting can prove to be a challenge since we have to be there for our kids, but avoid overdoing it. Here are some parenting tips on how to raise mindful and independent children.
Put them in control
If you teach your children responsibility from their early age, they will develop organizational skills and self-esteem which will stick with them when they’re older. Make sure they don’t rely on you too much for homework, or things like packing their bags in the morning. When it comes to their curriculum, homework and various projects, let them set their own goals and make their own working schedules. Even if they make mistakes, that’s fine. They should know making mistakes is nothing to be afraid or ashamed of, but rather something to learn from. Teach them to retrace their steps, see what the mistake was and try to fix it. Once they do that, they’ll know not to make the same mistake again.
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Give them proper support
When talking about support, it’s very important for your child to receive it from you, but you should be careful with the type of support you give. Resolving all your child’s conflicts and doing their assignments as soon as they mention that something is difficult for them is not the kind of support they actually need. Instead, teach them how to be resourceful, how to use the skills they already possess, as well as their previous knowledge, to do something new. Let them choose their own high school and support their decisions. If you’re having financial problems, there are high school scholarships available for girls, so apply for one and give your child an opportunity to strive.
Developing emotional intelligence
If you raise emotionally intelligent children, they will grow into emotionally healthy people. That’s why it’s important to encourage honesty, determination, and empathy in your kid. They should never be afraid to admit they were wrong or they’ve done something they shouldn’t have. Determination will allow them to grow into strong-minded people, ready to fight for their life goals. Furthermore, if you show empathy to your child, they will know how to do the same to other children, or adults one day. Through understanding others’ emotions, your children will be able to build healthy relationships in their youth, but also when they become adults. Accept all the emotions your child shows, good or bad, so that they know that all of their feelings are equally important and there’s no shame in negative emotions.
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Taking initiative
Teach your children to do age-appropriate chores around the house without having to remind them every time. If you do everything for them when they’re children, they will grow into adults who will expect other people to do their work, or they’ll need somebody to tell them what to do and how to do their job. Instead, show them the importance of taking initiative. They need to think about how they can help and do it without being asked. This doesn’t only apply to housework, but also to schoolwork, as well as to lend a hand to a friend who needs help.
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Sociability
A child should be taught from the earliest of age how to behave in various social situations and how to form healthy relationships with others. When your child shares a secret with you, don’t tell anybody, no matter how insignificant the secret may seem. This will show them how important it is to keep their friend’s secrets. Value your child’s opinion so that they can value other children’s opinions and understand the needs of others. Valuing their friends and treating them well will let your child grow into a good person with true friends.
There’s potential in every child to become a super kid. It’s your job as a parent to give them that little push they need to achieve everything they can in life.
