Parents are the persons that a child looks up to, may the child is easy or is hard to handle. They are the first persons that a child acquires behavior, attitudes, knowledge; and provide guidance, love and understanding. That is the first and foremost reason why parents should be very involved with the upbringing of their children especially children’s behavior to different circumstances.
Parental involvement is very important to a child. Researchers have discovered that parent’s involvement helps in the entire well being of a child. Every child should be treated differently, different strategies and techniques in disciplining. Child usually tests parent’s limitations, if they will easily give in to what they want or not. If the child is hard to manage, spanking and battle with them will do no good. Neither these strategies will change their behavior as well as improve parent-child relationship. The more there is a battle of wills, the more children become demanding. Children should often be reminded of their behavior. When a child reaches about two years old, parents can now respond to their emotional outburst by distractions, reflective listening and identifying feelings.
Parents or caregivers should not forget promoting positive behavior to their children. They should be specific of their praises and compliments. If it is possible to praise them to other people within their earshot, do so. Self-esteem can be built in small ways. It can be built by simply giving hugs and kisses, and sharing smiles. Setting rules and expectations are very important in a household. Rules should be very clear and specific, but should also include options. Parents should learn to say no if the child cannot act accordingly. If the child does not want to eat the food on the table, let him/her decide what he/she likes. Either go hungry, prepare what he/she likes or eat what is on the table. Parents should learn the developmental stages of a child, their accompanying physical, social, emotional, and intellectual capacities. They should not expect to achieve certain behavior if it’s beyond the child’s age. Communication should be appropriate according to child’s capacity to understand. When a child misbehaves, parents should respond in a fair and consistent way according to the misbehavior. Consequences are to be fair, appropriate and meaningful. When these are being imposed, children’s knowledge of right and wrong will be strengthened. Children easily get frustrated because they cannot express themselves very well, so sometimes, they apt to misbehave. Help them express their feelings and emotions by allowing them to do things they are comfortable or being in a place they find comfort. Most importantly, be the guiding star of the child by being the model they can look up to. By simply saying please and thank you will help a lot in the molding of a child’s behavior.
In-school children should be provided with enough parental guidance. They can be guided upon in many ways like; reading to them, checking homework every night, limiting TV viewing during school nights, or asking them everyday of what are the highlights of the day at school. According to research, when parents are involved in their children’s education, they do better and farther in school. Three important points that parents should know are as follows: active organization and monitoring of child’s time; help with homework; discussion of school matters. Positive effects of parental involvement are improved student achievement, reduced absenteeism, improved behavior, and restored confidence (www.schoolweb.missouri.edu).
Parent’s role in life is to guide children through life’s journey. They are not there to hinder embarrassment and hurt. Of course parents do not want their children feeling hurt and rejected, but that is life. People experience all these things ones in their lives. Parents should let their children experience all of life’s ups and downs. Their ultimate role is to help their children through it to learn the lessons in life.
