How to Be a Great Parent

Our parents are the first faces we see when we arrive into this world - and any guidance from them is considered the most important we will ever get. 

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Whoever, we become in the future is built on the foundation made by our parents. 

While no parent is perfect (however, some like to think they are) in fulfilling their responsibilities the majority at least try to be the best parents they can.

With that in mind, there are certain things that great parents do differently.

Let’s explore some tips that can help you to be a great parent too!

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

It’s natural for parents to want their kids to succeed, they will push, bribe, demand, even threaten kids with punishment just to achieve top grades, practice an instrument successfully or excel at a sport. 

However, is being a Tiger Mom or Dad what is best for your child? 

To be a great parent give your child the right amount of guidance and support along with a gentle nudge and you will get good results from them. 

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 their children.

A great parent knows that no matter what, if they want their kids to grow up well-adjusted and happy, they 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.  You Show Physical Affection in Order to Be a Great Parent

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

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A hug and warm touch will let your child know how much you care. 

As your young child becomes an adolescent they are embarrassed by any sort of physical attention.

That is when it becomes necessary to use words of support and empathy to take its place - a great parent knows that.

This sort of caring affection can lesson the chance of kids becoming anti-social or aggressive, even having other behavioural problems. 

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.

However, they all benefit in the end, having quality time with their parents.

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. 

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.   

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9.  You Teach Your Children How To Interact With Others

They pass on social skills, affecting friendships, romantic relationships, even their career.

Social kids grow up to be happy, successful, and smart adults!

When parents teach their kids how to interact with others they help them to develop skills they need to become capable adults. 

Children who are social, are 4 times more likely to get a college degree. 

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 happy. 

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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By managing their own stress, they are more relaxed and thoughtful.

While at the same time teaching their children to handle their own emotions in a healthy way. 

Parenting is a journey that takes plenty of patience and understanding. Some parents follow textbook parenting techniques, others rely on their own instincts to make decisions and handle the behaviour of their kids.

While much of how we parent varies depending on the child’s actions, encouraging these qualities can certainly go a long way.

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