Raising a natural child is a difficult task. Ask a thousand parents how to do it and you will get one thousand different answers. in fact you will find there is no right or wrong way. What matters the most is that your child is brought up in a happy and healthy environment, an environment where he or she is loved, respected and cared for in every facet of their life, and that they know you will always hold them in your heart and be there for them when needed.
Here are some additional tips in the raising of your child that I try to incorporate in my life:
- Be a parent first and a friend second.
- Offer praise on a task well done as well as stars for high marks in school.
- Hug and kiss your child every day.
- If your child makes a mistake, don’t demean or punish, but discuss and console. This is a big one. Let kids learn from natural consequences.
- Read to your child every night. I do this with my 5 year old and it has helped us bond and grow closer.
- Listen to your child, without judgment.
- Do not use guilt to make your child do anything he or she does not want to do.
- Enjoy a special time with your child. Set aside a few hours a day to laugh and have fun.
- Offer advice when asked and keep silent when necessary.
- Get physical – what I mean is get outside and play together.
- Show interest in anything your child seems to relate to.
- Introduce your child to the arts including music, theatre, museums and dance.
- Answer questions honestly and openly. Never lie to your kids.
- Provide proper nutrition and incorporate exercise in your child’s day.
What does raising a child “naturally” actually mean?
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Ask a thousand parents and you will get a thousand different answers — there really is no single right or wrong way. What matters most is that your child grows up in a happy, healthy environment where they are loved, respected and cared for in every part of their life, and where they know you will always hold them in your heart and be there when they need you.
What simple daily habits help me bond with my child?
Hug and kiss your child every day. Read to them every night — doing that with a five year old builds a closeness you can feel. Set aside a few hours a day just to laugh and have fun together, get outside and play, and listen to your child without judgment. None of it costs anything, and it is the part they remember.
How should I respond when my child makes a mistake?
Rather than demeaning or punishing, discuss it and console them, and let them learn from natural consequences. Answer their questions honestly and openly and never lie to your kids. Avoid using guilt to make your child do something they don’t want to do — it works in the moment and costs you trust later.
Should I be my child’s friend or their parent?
Be a parent first and a friend second. That means offering praise for a task well done, showing genuine interest in whatever your child relates to, offering advice when it is asked for and staying quiet when that is what is needed. Trust your own instincts here — they will never fail you.
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