5 New Year Resolutions for Better Parenting

The New year is the time for new resolutions. It is a clean slate that makes us get over our past mistakes and improve ourselves. So, what are your resolutions this New Year? Managing your time? Eating healthy? Travelling more? Being better parents? Here are a few, very doable New Year resolutions for better parenting that can have a huge impact on your children’s happiness:

Be “present” when you are with your children

Make a promise to yourself and your child that every day you will spend some quality time with them, mindfully. Be there. Talk to them and more importantly listen to them. Don’t let yourself be distracted by the phone, work or your own thoughts. What children love the most is some undivided attention by their parents. Even if you can take out only an hour or two for your child, make sure that you are completely there when with them. Give them your love and simply listen to them with all your heart. This effort will help you develop stronger bonds with them and you will also notice them throwing fewer tantrums.

Talk positively and avoid unnecessary criticism

Restrict your usage of negative words for or in front of them. Always being negative about things only reflects the negativity back at you. This year, resolve to find a better way to say “no” or “don’t”. Let your conversations with your children be more suggestive than constant negative reminders or instructions. Don’t criticize them in the scope that they will always take your criticism in a constructive way. It can do more harm than good.

Encourage their creative streak

Let your child’s imagination run wild through creative acts like singing, dancing, painting, drawing, coloring or writing. It is a great way for children to express and share their emotions and it gives you a glimpse into how they see the world around them. Don’t be judgmental of the end result, just encourage their creativity, whatever they choose. Instead of, “nice drawing,” try, “tell me about what you have drawn.”  Your genuine interest versus just automatic praise will build confidence in their abilities and set a solid foundation for good communication skills when they are older.

Be Ready to Embrace Change

A baby who once loved an activity now rejects it. Parents can be quick to assume that something’s wrong when, in fact, it may be that the child has just grown up now. While measuring your child’s outward signs of growth physically, remember that he/she is undergoing change  on the inside too, emotionally and cognitively. You need to embrace their growth from a toddler to a teenager and the changes that come along.

Keep calm and slow down

Resolve to hold yourself back when yelling at your child. Getting angry and screaming does more harm than good to your children. It lowers their self-esteem and confidence and puts them into a shell. Not just that, it increases the stress levels in the family and is damaging to the mental and physical health of your family. Take a break before you respond to your child to calm yourself. Go for a walk or just breathe deeply for 10 seconds. There is always a better way to handle any situation. Similarly, slow down in life. You don’t always need to be rushing to office, or school or dance classes or swimming lessons. Take it a little slow. Enjoy the loving moments with your family calmly. Have days when you can relax and have no plans. Take them out on weekends or holidays for a retreat. 

New Year is the best time to give yourself a new start. Parenting is tough. So, forgive yourself for parenting mistakes made in the past year and get set for a new beginning! Happy parents have happy kids! So be kind to yourself while trying to become a better parent and watch magic happen!  

Vishakha

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