Who is a good parent? What does it take to be a good parent? Do you need to be a perfect parent? Do perfect parents even exist?

So many questions related to parenting!

Before we start some kind of discussion on parenting, it would be better to think from a different mindset. Let’s understand one thing that there is no perfection in any parent. So, now the question is, how to do parenting so as to be at least a good parent if not the perfect one.

A good parent is one who strives to take all the decisions keeping the best interest of the child. A good parent is not required to be perfect as no one can be perfect.

Similarly, no child is perfect too. Hence, before setting our expectations, we need to keep this in our mind. But it doesn’t mean that we should stop working towards that objective. First of all, we need to set the highest standards for us and then for our children. Our children treat us as their role models.

Most of these tips are not easy and probably no one will be able to practice all of those all the time. But, if you continue working on them, even when you are doing only a part of these sometimes, you will be moving in the right direction. In this article, we are presenting 5 tips on effective parenting skills.

Kids follow the footsteps of their parents. You will have to walk the talk. If you want them to behave in a certain manner, you will have to behave in the very same manner. Don’t just tell your child what you want them to do. Be a model for them and show them what to do. Human beings have a tendency to learn by mitation; children specifically watch their parents extremely carefully and copy their actions.

So, you will have to be the person you want your child to be. You will have to integrate positive attitude in your behaviour so that your child too learns the same by observing you. Respect your child. Have empathy for your child’s emotions and your child will definitely follow the practice.

More you love your child, stronger and happier they become. A child is never spoilt by too much love. However, the trouble may arise only when you start giving them things in the name of love and confuse love with over protection, low expectation, leniency or material indulgence. These things are more than enough to spoil a child. Spend time with your child, hug them and listen to their issues
with interest.

These acts make you child happy and they remain calm. When they arre loved, these acts trigger the release of feel good hormones like oxytocin, prolactin and opioids. These hormones make them feel a deeper sense of happiness, calm, contentment and emotional warmth. This act of love will bring your child closer to you and make them a strong personality.

Children grow through positive experiences. Kids are born with nearly 100 Billion brain cells that are relatively lesser connected. These connections are responsible for creation of thoughts, shaping our personalities, driving our actions and determining basically who we are. These connections are
created throughout our lives through experiences. If you give positive experiences to your child, they will offer the same to others as well. If you give them negative experiences, their development will be stunted and they won’t be able to develop the way you want them to.

Laugh with your child. Go to the park and garden with them. Sing that silly song with them. Become a team with them for solving any problem with a positive attitude. These experiences form good connections in your child and they collect beautiful memories to cherish for life.

Discipline is important and you should make sure to practice positive discipline instead of opting for punitive measures. Being a good parent, it becomes your moral obligation to get them acquainted to morals, ethics, right and wrong. Set limits for your child and maintain consistency.

Put efforts to let your child know that you will always be there for them in every situation. They should know that you care for their needs. Try to be the safest haven for your child. Children, who have responsive parents, are known to have better emotional, mental and social development.

Communication is the key to all the relationships and your relationship with your child is no exception. Have conversations with your child and give them a patient hearing whenever they want to. If communication is proper, you will have a better and quite healthy relationship with your child and your child will always find
refuge in you in case of any problem.

By communicating with your child, you also help them develop by helping them to integrate different parts of their brain.

When various parts of the brain are integrated well, kids can function in complete harmony and hence they will have lesser tantrums, more empathy and more cooperative behavior.  Don’t just keep providing solutions to their problems; rather talk to them about your similar experiences and how you dealt with those. Listen to them, talk to them and keep asking clarifying questions to help them integrate their memories and making sense of their experiences.

If you follow these simple yet highly effective parenting tips, you will realize the worth later. Keep putting efforts and keep learning with your child.

Happy parenting!