How to Be a Great Parent

First and foremost, to be a great parent it involves creating a supportive and loving environment for your child. Being there for them and being interactive in their lives. 

Having family dinners together, reading them bedtime stories and  listening to what they have to say, or what they are feeling. 

1.  To Be a Great Parent You Need to Guide and Support Your Child 

To be a great parent you are guiding your child through life’s challenges and supporting their growth, like teaching problem-solving skills and setting boundaries.

Children do better when they know what is expected of them. 

Have you ever noticed how much more willing your child is to try new things when they know you’re expectations are and you are there to support them? That’s the power of guidance.

Supporting Your Child’s Journey

Support is equally crucial in parenting. It’s about being there for your child emotionally and physically, celebrating their successes, and comforting them during tough times.

Whether it’s attending their soccer games or simply listening to their worries, every moment counts. 

2.  To Be a Great Parent You Need to Get Along With Your Spouse

How parents interact with each other is important, getting along says a lot about them to your children.

A great parent knows that no matter what, if you want your kids to grow up well-adjusted and happy, you will find a way to get along. 

Kids from a single parent family may actually do better than those who come from a 2-parent home where the parents fight all the time.

3.  To Be a Great Parent You Show Physical Affection 

Children thrive on warmth and affection, they will then feel loved and will have better self-esteem.

4.  You Don’t Make Your Children The Center Of The Universe

Sometimes parents let their kids make the final decision, what to eat for dinner or how everyone should spend their weekend are just a couple of examples.

Problem is, they have too much power and think they are the centre of the universe growing up being self-absorbed and entitled. 

A great parent only allows their kids to make choices that are maintained in a clear social scale, teaching their children to focus on what they have to offer the world - instead of what they are owed. 

5.  A Great Parent Spends Quality Time With Their Children

Great parents spend quality time with each of their kids. They are aware that each child has their own personality and may need less time than others.

It can be anything, ie cooking together, playing sports or doing chores. There is not a much better way for parents to show their children exactly how much they love and cherish them. 

In the end, everyone benefits and get to spend some quality one-on-one time together. 

6.  You Give Responsibilities to Your Children

Children are given responsibilities to increase their worth, they cherish what they have. Having them follow through on their responsibilities is an effective way to teach them accountability. 

7.  You Listen And Understand

Parents spend time talking to their kids. They help them through rough times just by listening.

No matter how old their child is, parents make sure they make the time to listen and understand their child's thoughts, fears and concerns. 

Knowing your child’s thoughts helps to develop the confidence they need later in life and challenge themselves.

8.  You Don’t Confuse Discipline With Punishment

Discipline teaches kids to do better in the future, it teaches development and self-discipline. Great parents give out consequences with their ultimate goal being to raise well nurtured children.   

10.  You Acknowledge Your Mistakes And Apologize

Children are taught to own up to what they do wrong and apologize, and even try to make up for what they did wrong.

This is just as (if not more) important for parents to do themselves.

Good parents know that they too sometimes make mistakes - and kids will learn from them. That is why they show their kids how to take responsibility for their actions.

11.  You Strive To Be A Good Role Model

Kids often learn more from what parents do than say. Parents sometimes may role model unhealthy behaviours, not meaning to of course. 

For example, a father spends his evenings watching TV but tells his 14-year-old daughter she should read more.

Great parents try to be great role models - not just through direct interactions, but also by setting examples of good behaviours and attitude. 

They are offering their kids learning opportunities to behave appropriately. 

12.  You Participate In Your Children’s Education

By being a part of your child’s education, they tend to work harder.

It’s also time spent together and children know that their parents care about their education and future. 

13.  You Encourage Your Children To Walk Their Own Path

To be a great parent you need to encourage your children to follow their hearts - even if it makes no sense. They don’t expect their kids to be something that makes them unhappy. 

They know that a child needs to walk their own path, always remember who they are, where they come from and where they’re going. 

14.  They Practice Self-Care to Be a Great Parent

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