It’s 2020. A new year, and for many, a new decade. It’s a fresh start, and if you have kids, you should think about ways to reinvent your style of parenting. Parenting is a process of evolution, with many parents changing how they behave or discipline their kids. From learning to feed the baby healthier foods such as mushrooms, to thinking about the best hair growth for baby, we want what’s best. Here are some ways telling you How to Have a Happy, Healthy Relationship With Your Child in 2020.
Seeking Help
Family and parental counseling has a stigma. Some parents may imagine it as something for parents who have lost control of their child. However, there is much more to it than that. Instead of thinking about it this way, consider thinking of it as a way to fine-tune your parenting style and looking for any flaws in it before it gets too troublesome. Seeking the help of a family counselor, therapist, or psychologist is a smart move. Thanks to online therapy, you don’t even have to leave the house, either.
Limit Time on the Screen
Technology is important in today’s society, but too many kids live on their tablets or other devices. Too much can lead to issues, such as having trouble sleeping. Kids need more time with their parents, and limiting screen time is something you should consider.
Limit Rewarding for Good Behavior
Parenting should involve positivity and positive reinforcement, but to many parents, it’s like a bargaining chip. You may buy your child a new toy if they behave good, but that just means you’ll have to buy another for future good behavior. Not only is this a financial burden, but your kid may expect way too much out of you, and may become entitled. Don’t depend too much on rewards as a reason to curb any bad behaviors. It’s okay to give your child an occasional present, but don’t rely on it.
Discipline, Don’t Punish
Too many parents think about the punishment for their child’s bad behavior, such as grounding or a time-out. However, not enough think about the learning experience. By giving your child an undesirable consequence, you are giving them a reason not to do it again, but you aren’t teaching them why they shouldn’t do it. Give them reasons. Not “because I said so,” but instead, tell them why they should share their toys and not hit their sister.
Don’t Lose Your Temper
Does your child seem angry and aggressive? Look at yourself before you judge them. You live a stressed life, and often, you may find yourself getting irritated or even shouting when your child does something you don’t want. The last thing you want to do is to set a bad example. If you do end up losing your temper, explain to your child that this is the wrong thing to do, and that even parents mess up every once in a while. This sure is an important pointer on How to Have a Happy, Healthy Relationship With Your Child.
Eat With Them
In today’s busy world, too many parents are ordering take-out and not fixing food at home. However, there are many kitchen appliances to make cooking much less of a challenge. For example, you may be able to purchase a slow cooker or an Instant pot and cook foods beforehand. Not only are you cooking more nutritious meals for your child, but by having a dinner night, you are improving your family bonds by quite a bit.
Be Consistent, But Evolve
One thing you should never do with parenting is to be too inconsistent. If one child is disciplined, the child’s sibling should be disciplined for the same behavior. Rules should not depend on your mood.
With that said, don’t be afraid to evolve. As your child grows, and so do you, don’t be afraid to relax a little bit and let them discover the world for themselves. A parenting mindset that never changes is a bit of a problem in a world where everything changes at a faster rate. You may be a grown-up, but that doesn’t mean you haven’t grown up. Everyone has growing to do, and you can thrive with your child in 2020.
Marie Miguel Biography
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
A doting mom to an angel, Social Media Specialist & Professional Blogger. She loves to share her thoughts with other parents in the same turbulent boat. She absolutely loves & adores her family & is learning to strike a good work-life balance. When she is not writing, cooking or busy taking care of her toddler, she probably is dancing to some good desi music!