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Parenting can be overwhelming and a little crazy. Yet, it is equally rewarding: A blessing!
Parenthood can sometimes feel like your day is filled with giving our children many don’ts! For example, “Don’t touch that!”, “Walk, don’t run,” Don’t be mean to your brother/sister,” “Don’t pull my hair!” “Don’t lick the cat!” “Don’t pee in there!” For any parent wearing many hats is just part of the day.
The desire to have a minute to yourself is natural and a must at the time, but nothing indeed compares to how rewarding parenting is, even on tough days. We love our tender moments when your children give you little hugs and kisses all over your face, those precious moments when you hold them to sleep, and those moments they insist you watch them make those not-so-perfect dance moves. We can’t forget how rewarding it feels to watch your child develop from one milestone to another. The list is endless!
This article will explore 8 Little Things Parents Do for Their Kids That Make a Big Difference.
Doing these eight little things significantly impacts your children’s lives and improves your relationship.
1. Be Generous with Cuddles
You may have realized that your children love hugs and cuddling. There is no doubt cuddling makes us feel good. But did you know that a 20-second cuddle can cause your child to grow healthier, brighter, more resilient, happier, and much closer to you?
Cuddling makes your child feel more secure and warm. The bond you share when hugging affects the children’s later life regarding healthy exploration, self-confidence, social relationships, expression of empathy, and the ability to handle life stressors. According to studies, children who don’t experience cuddling have a lower level of vasopressin and oxytocin. These hormones play vital roles in social behaviors and stressors.
Cuddles also communicate love to children. Your child may not quickly tell how they want to be loved, but you can make them feel loved through hugs. Physical attention such as cuddling, eye contact, undivided attention, smiling, and showing affection can make your child feel good and loved. Cuddle them even when they misbehave; they will feel secure with you and understand love is unconditional.
Health benefits of cuddling your children:
- Cuddling reduces symptoms of stress and anxiety.
- It improves sleep patterns.
- It helps to develop a healthy sense of personal boundaries.
- It improves relationships and causes calmness.
- It enhances blood circulation and muscle tone.
- Cuddling can reduce discomfort caused by colic, teething, congestion, and emotional stress.
- It improves immune function.
- It makes the circulatory, gastrointestinal, and digestive systems stronger.
2. Minimize Reprimands and Scolding
Children will engage in mischief more times than we would wish them to. You may feel the desire to criticize these shortcomings more often than compliment them. But while negative behaviors can cause any parent to feel angry and frustrated, we should control our emotions and minimize criticism.
We often want to discourage negative behavior with disapproval, scolding, and reprimand. Unfortunately, rebuke and scolding, among other adverse reactions toward our children, cause wrong emotional responses such as humiliation, shame, anger, and fear. On the other hand, positive remarks can encourage more good behavior, not just now but also in their adult life.
So, how do we correct our children without too much scolding?
When disciplining children, fewer words are more effective. You can minimize scolding by calling your kids’ attention to their mistakes gently and subtly. Children tend to magnify any message from their parents, so a short, clear message is all they need to rectify their mistakes. For example, a child forgets to put away his shoes. Instead of bombarding the child with reasons the shoes should have already been put away, suggesting, “Your shoes and where they need to be placed or stored” is a good reminder. Most of the time, children realize they’ve made a mistake.
Lecturing reinforces a reactive state of mind. Though intended to teach, scolding increases defensiveness. As a parent lists off the repercussions of a child’s choices, the child’s brain is no longer in balance.
Additionally, your communication focus should be away from your child’s personality. Using words like “What is wrong with you!” “Why did you do this?” “You are ill-mannered,” etc., can cause them intense shame. Instead, use the “I” and “We” statements to express your feelings, expectations, and values. For example, “I am not happy about this,” “I love it when we are considerate of others.” Etc.
3. Give Genuine Praises
Giving praise is when you acknowledge openly what your child is doing or how they are behaving. For example, ‘That’s awesome,’ ‘Great job,’ or ‘Well done .’ Praising your child gives them a sense of self and builds their confidence.
A compliment, a simple high-five, a hug, a gesture, or a facial expression can generate pride and self-worth in your child. There are so many benefits associated with giving children positive feedback, praise, encouragement, and approval.
- Children learn what is pleasing to their parents and caregivers and what they should avoid doing.
- Praises give children a sense of self-esteem and self-worth.
- Children who develop self-worth and confidence tend to treat others positively too.
- Children who receive positive feedback tend to perform better in school, have more productive lives, and do not lose hope quickly.
- Praise causes children to feel loved and trusted by their parents, which causes them to perform better.
- Importantly, praising your children empowers and motivates them to keep working harder.
4. Teach your Children Kindness
One of the best ways to make the world a better place for everyone is by creating a culture of kindness in your home. Teaching your kids kindness will make them feel good about themselves and their world. Compassion will also help them to grow up to be a loving and happy person. You can incorporate some of these practices into your kids’ routines to nurture kindness.
- Do unto others as you would want them to do for you
Please remind your children always to put themselves in other people’s shoes. They should avoid talking ill of others or criticizing them when they fail. Teach them empathy and encourage them to apply it in their lives.
- Teach them only to say positive things.
It is better to be silent if you cannot say something nice. Teach your children to speak positive words (the type of words that make people feel better rather than sad). Let them know the value of using encouraging words to their peers and siblings, and teach them how to choose kind words even in adverse situations.
- Teach them the power of smiling.
William Arthur said that a warm smile is the universal language of kindness. It is a random act of kindness and one that is contagious. There is so much joy in giving and receiving smiles. Smiling is sharing positive energy, indicating love and support, even in the most challenging moments. Be a role model to your kids by always sharing a smile with people around you, including them!
- Teach them courtesy
Courtesy of courteous behavior is all about good manners. Teach your kids good manners, such as apologizing, speaking to people respectfully and politely, and greeting people properly. Besides being good people to society, you will also enjoy living with friendly and pleasant individuals in your house.
- Avoid over-pampering them
If you want kind kids, avoid over-pampering them. Kind people are charitable and understand they cannot get everything they want. Let your children know they cannot get everything they want. Please help them develop self-control, be thankful, and always be patient.
5. Do a Good Deed Everyday
Teaching your kids to be kind and thoughtful of others is vital. In addition, your children can improve the world by doing daily good deeds. This could be the same daily activities, such as walking the dog or random acts.
20 GOOD DEED STARTERS is a fantastic and fun way for your kids to express kindness.
- Leave random happy notes around your neighborhood or town
- Give candy to a bank teller.
- Pick up litter
- Help someone wash their car
- Walk dogs in a neighboring animal shelter.
- Help an elderly neighbor.
- Compliment a stranger
- Put change in a vending machine
- Feed the birds
- Thank their teacher
- Create a kindness jar and share the love with everyone
- Prepare dinner for a new neighbor
- Make bracelets for friends and family
- Donate their outgrown clothes to a homeless shelter.
- Say hello to strangers
- Share cute and yummy snacks with neighborhood kids
- Share a toy with a needy child
- Share a candy with the bus driver
- Deliver water bottles to a nursing home or homeless shelter
- Write a poem to a sibling or friend.
6. Teach them Gratitude
Teaching your children gratitude requires helping them appreciate every situation rather than complaining. Children who grow with Gratitude understand the feelings and needs of others better.
So, how do you teach your child to be grateful?
- Teach them always to thank individuals who do things for them.
- Be a role model by always being grateful for them and for the things they do.
- Always talk about things that you are grateful for
- Be charitable and pleasing to everyone you come across.
- Please help them to create and keep a gratitude journal.
- Constantly compliment them.
- Turn complaints into praises.
- Be positive even in challenging situations.
- Create a gratitude jar and encourage the kids to add it whenever they feel grateful.
- Take walks and appreciate nature and simple pleasures, such as birds singing or the warm sun.
7. Take Play Seriously
Children learn all the time, including when they play. Besides having a lot of fun, play helps your children to develop vital life skills. For example, playing with others teaches them to socialize and understand other people’s feelings. They also learn to take turns and compromise, minimizing feelings of selfishness.
Imaginative plays enhance kids’ creativity and help them improve their language skills as they learn how to express their ideas to others. Once they switch to the imaginative world, they learn to create new possibilities and solve new problems. So rather than spending too much time on your device, spare some free time to play with your child.
8. Create a Reading Culture
It is never too early to introduce your children to reading. It is a foundation of learning that helps kids function correctly in the 21st century. Reading also allows children to make it through school since they read to learn.
Below are ten more reasons why reading is vital
- Reading builds your child’s vocabulary.
- Frequent reading makes the kids better at it.
- It enhances self-confidence and independence.
- Reading helps children to stay safe. For example, they can understand warning labels and traffic signs.
- It helps them to understand their world better
- It brings academic success and prepares the kids for the future.
- It is entertaining and enhances the kids’ grammar.
- Lastly, reading improves writing skills.
FAQs by Parents:
How can I create a safe outdoor play atmosphere for preschoolers?
You don’t need to spend a fortune on outdoor play equipment. You can use readily available materials like sand, ropes, tires, hollow blocks, and well-sanded boards. Ensure the equipment they play with is sturdy since the kids still master large-muscle coordination. Also, inspect the play area frequently for broken and sharp objects.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 75% of playground injuries are caused by falling from high places. As such, you should cover the playground with rubber mats, mulch, or sand to cushion the impact of a fall.
How can I help my child get along with other kids?
From preschool years, a child can show generosity and understand other people’s feelings. You can help model the behaviors you wish your child to have at this age and beyond. A good role model is also essential since they are more likely to ape you.
You can help your child get along with their peers by role-playing difficult situations, connecting their concerns with others, and allowing them to help and comfort others. You can also choose activities emphasizing compromise and cooperation over contests and competition.
My child is silent and polite in school but full of life at home. What’s your take on this?
If your child is energized and full of life at home, it means they are comfortable and happy. It also means they feel secure and safe with you and enjoy the home environment. On the other hand, they could be polite in school because they know the importance of following school rules. They could also figure out the school environment and who they can trust before interacting freely.
How can I help my child develop better socialization skills?
This is a constructive question since many parents believe children should learn socialization as they grow up. According to scientific studies, children should be taught emotional and social skills. Importantly, these lessons should begin at home. Further, they should learn these skills from parents and people close to them. Are the parents kind and respectful to each other? Do the siblings love each other? Children use experiences around them as a guideline for interacting with the world.
How can I connect my child to listen to my instructions?
It takes effort and time to teach children. Learning happens both formally and informally. One of the best ways to teach children is through play. Play can include happy songs, fun games, or remembering happy moments from the past. Enjoyable activities cause kids to relax and have a positive mind, leading to more focus. Use encouragement more than scolding, and always let your child learn at their own pace. Notably, never criticize your child for making mistakes.
How can I stop my child from picking up bad habits from friends?
Children learn a lot through imitation. Therefore, have guidelines or rules for things not allowed in your home. Also, they reduce the time they spend with children who negatively influence them and find exciting and engaging activities for them to do.
Before you go…
Parenting is not the most challenging thing you can ever go through. It is okay sometimes to feel overwhelmed and to need a break. Importantly, seeking guidance and help whenever you feel stuck is a good idea. Parent coaches help parents to relate better with their children. They offer tools that help parents create a deeper and more fulfilling bond with their family.
Kids on the Yard coaching helps parents discover newfound energy in their parenting, develop an appreciation for their effort, and create sustainable ways to achieve their vision or dream for their family. Different than therapy, coaching allows us to become your cheerleader, guide, and mirror.
Reach out to us for more information.
