Nine skills that good parents have

Keeping your child’s interests at heart is a sign of a good parent.

You don’t need to be perfect because no one is and neither is your child. All you have to do is work towards being a great parent and be there for your children.

As a parent you need to set high standards for yourself and then for your children. You need to act as a good role model and nurture them accordingly.

Don’t be that parent who just tells their child what to do. You need to show them so that they can follow suit. You lead, they follow! Human beings and especially kids usually learn through imitation and they copy our actions to understand.

Below are skills worth emulating that every good parent possesses.

i. Love and affection

As a parent you need to be able to support and accept your child as he is, be physically and emotionally affectionate as well as spend quality one-on-one time with them. Loving your child unconditionally does not mean that you are spoiling them. It means loving them flaws and all, making time for them and being there for them.

ii. Stress management

It’s understandable to get stressed. This, however, doesn’t mean that you let stress take over your life and that of your family. Find effective ways to deal with stress and avoid taking out your frustrations on your children. Create a positive environment at home for both yourself and your children.

iii. Respect

Respect goes both ways in that you need to maintain a healthy relationship with your child, your spouse and your ex if your co-parenting. When you treat everyone around you with respect, your child will emulate you and treat others well.

iv. Life skills

As a parent you need to be able to provide for your child and family. You need to have a steady income and plan the future for them.

v. A good role model

You need to be the person you want your child to be. Always respect your child, be empathetic, have a positive attitude and your child will follow suit.

vi. Be a safe haven

A good parent is always there for their child no matter what! Be responsive to your child’s needs, in addition be supportive and accept your child. If you do so, they will have better emotional development, social development and mental health.

vii. Be attentive

Communication is very important. You need to be able to talk to your child and listen to them carefully. This will help you have a better relationship with your child and he, in turn, will always come to you when there’s a problem rather than depend on their peers.

viii. Be a teacher

Good parents allow their kids to be independent by allowing them to do things for themselves. Allow them to do their homework alone and correct them later, let them carry out chores and make their own friends. Guide them and step back when necessary so they can grow into their own selves without mummy and daddy breathing down their necks.

ix. Be an encourager

As parents we occasionally lose our temper or yell because we are humans. But one thing you should never do is insult, humiliate or belittle your child. This will make their self-esteem to nose dive and the child will grow up feeling unworthy.