Nevertheless, another problem arises, such as the so-called “iPad children” who don’t see the sunlight because their parents only entertain them with gadgets. Parenting is indeed a tricky thing and if you don't want to go wrong, here are some tips to ponder over.
Feed your child normal food
Many parents suffer from their child becoming a picky eater from an early age. They can't eat any food other than dino nuggets. While in some cases, this is due to neurodiversity, i.e., the child being on the autism spectrum, it's not always the case. The culprit is the dino nuggets that parents have been feeding their children since childhood.
Did you know that the French don't have a children's menu? Since childhood, they feed their children the same food they eat themselves, thus familiarizing them with a variety of dishes and textures (read more in the Bringing Up Bébé summary). Don't treat your children like exotic pets, and let them try different foods from the very beginning so you don't scare them off with broccoli or sauerkraut at the age of five.
Don’t be afraid of stopping breastfeeding
Since we've already touched on the topic of nutrition, it's worth reminding young parents of the importance of feeding their children solid food when their baby develops the ability to grab and eat food. Of course, you should not immediately feed your baby a burger from McDonald's, but at some point, offer your children traditionally unhealthy food, too. The main thing is to do everything in moderation. If you want to learn more about infant parenting, read the Cribsheet book.
Teach your child basic independence
Many women joke about boys who still live with their mom at thirty because they cannot wash their own socks. As a parent, it is your responsibility to prevent such a fate for you and your child. Sometimes, love is about letting go in time, especially when it comes to your child. It's not easy to accept that your toddler is growing up. Nevertheless, at some point, you have to let them cross the street on their own or stay overnight at a friend's house.
Also, don't be afraid to burden your child with household chores. Explain that it's important to help mom do the cleaning, just like helping dad fix the fence. Suggest that children do a basic cleaning routine in a play format while they are still young and slowly but surely turn it into some form of obligation. Don't go overboard, but make sure that cleaning their room isn't your child's biggest nightmare.
Let your child sleep 10 hours each night
Your child should have a clear and strict sleep schedule. It may not seem like a big deal to you, but many scientists around the world have proven that an extra hour of sleep can have a positive impact on a child's mental health and academic success. That's why many modern schools try to start the school day later, not at 8:00 but at 9:00, for example. But if the school can provide your child with a later wake-up time, you should make sure that your child goes to bed earlier. You can read more about this study in the NurtureShock book.
Learn to control your anger
Everyone knows that being a parent is a challenging and responsible job that brings more stress than anything else in this world. Hence, worrying about our children all the time, we often strain our nervous system, which can end unfavorably. So, if your child throws another tantrum, you may have an attack of aggression. And this is normal—the main thing is to keep yourself in control.
If you feel like saying something nasty to your child or even hitting them, you should think before you do. You may even want to walk away from your child to a safe distance for them. Don't blame yourself for these feelings and learn to work through them before it's too late.
Respect your child
Many people do not see a child as a complete human being. This toxic trait can manifest itself even in loving parents who infantilize their children their whole lives. However, with this approach, your child will never be able to become self-reliant and independent. At some point, life may become too difficult for them if you are not around.
Changing your attitude is not all it takes. Not only must you see your child as a whole person, but you must also treat them this way. Talk to your child by explaining this world's cause-and-effect relationships. This will even help you educate your child. So, instead of just saying no, explain to your kid why they shouldn't do a certain action, and you're likely to get much more favorable child feedback.
Respect your kid’s boundaries
Childhood is the period when the foundation of your child's personality is forming. The responsibility for this process lies with the parents, for whom it is essential not to mess up here. Besides teaching children to say thank you and please, be kind, and respect their elders, parents must also teach them to assert their boundaries.
A winning strategy here would be to give a child a basic introduction to boundaries. However, remember that a toddler will only understand the importance of the word “no” if their own boundaries are respected. Treat your children with respect and take the issue of boundaries seriously. You can even learn the "Boundary Song" with your child.
Find them a hobby instead of an iPad
You can't run away from progress, but you can reduce its negative impact on your child. Kids can be hyperactive at times, which doesn't give us a second's rest. At times like these, many parents make the huge mistake of shoving an iPad in their kids' hands to finally sit down with a cup of coffee. And while it sounds like a good plan, gadget addiction develops too quickly in children.
Think of something to entice your child with besides the iPad. It might be a good time to introduce your little blob of energy to dance or karate lessons. Find somewhere your child can put all the energy that's been building up inside of them. In turn, you can finally make time for yourself while your little one is studying ballet in another part of the neighborhood.
We all love our children, but love alone is not enough to raise them into healthy individuals. Through mindful parenting, parents must try hard to achieve complete harmony with their children. At the same time, they should keep the golden mean, being firm but not too strict, allowing their children to make decisions on their own but not letting things go, and so on. Remember that there is no such thing as a perfect parent. However, you should do your best to make your child happy.
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