Communication
Communicate with your child – No matter what age, toddler or teenager, they are still your children. Make time to talk to your child. It can be over breakfast, lunch or at the dinner table. Show interest in their daily happenings. Observe the way they communicate with you. If you detect worry in their voices, be sympathetic. Let them open up when they are ready. Ensure them that you are there for them. Get the to express their worst fear to you instead of taking actions into their own hands. Children are limited in their way to express themselves. Some do it well with drawings while others talk non-stop in their means to let out their frustrations, fear or whatever anxiety it is they are trying to deal with.
Do your best to understand them and if you cannot, resort to books or people who can provide some answers to your predicament. By providing them a safe outlet – you, trust is established and your child is likely to talk to you than anyone else. Sought out early symptoms (if any) of stress or fear to prevent them getting worse.
Honesty
Parents should be honest with their children. By letting them know that mistakes are common weakness of human beings, children learn acceptance. Allowing children to make mistakes is healthy but correct them immediately. Do not be afraid to apologize to your child. Children will soon learn that this is part of forgiveness.
Set Positive Examples
Anxiety experienced by adults do rub off onto their off springs without them realizing it. Scolding, screaming and abuse will only make matters worse. Children should never be made punching bags, put in the middle of a crossfire when an argument breaks out or anything to make them feel it is their fault. Worse, they will feel insecure and unloved and shun away.
Protect Your Child
Home is where children seek refuge from all the evils of their world. It is their security blanket, a home that they go back to after school. The places they live is also where people they trust and love most resides. If at any point this place is no longer viewed safe, children feel threatened and lose control of what they think is good. Abuse, violence and a stressful environment effect the mental development of a child causing them to be recluse and at times aggressive. Parents who fight all the time send out negative signals to their children. They in turn, react negatively to gain the attention they once had when times are good. Though it is good parenting to protect your child, do not be overbearing by stopping them from trying out new things. Support their decision but warn them of the consequences at the same time.
Unconditional Love And Care For Your Child
Reach out to your child by being their friend. Give them your 100% in support and love. Your child’s happiness is the only thing that matters.
Embrace Change As A Process Of Growing Up
Let your child know that change is something positive and not a bad thing. Help them adjust and give them time and space to do so. For toddlers, make them feel important by praising their efforts. Teenagers are young adults trying to find their place in society. Educate them on being responsible, respect their opinion and be supportive of the decisions they are about to make about their lives. Forcing your own ideology or expectations suppresses children and teenagers alike from becoming who they want to be.
Never take any change for granted. Always talk and ask your child for his or her opinion. Their input is important as decisions should not be based and made selfishly. Minimize any abrupt changes that might need to take place by planning everything in advance. Help prepare them mentally before the actual event takes place. In any family, the children’s interest should always be priority.