Raising an exemplary child does not mean you need to be a perfect parent. After all, we are imperfect by nature and sometimes do things wrong. Training an outstanding kid means first becoming an outstanding person ourselves. It involves being aware of and taking responsibility for our words and actions to help our children become good people.
Making mistakes does not disqualify you from being an exemplary parent. The critical thing to remember is learning from your mistakes and not making the same mistake twice. Setting a good example does not necessarily mean you have to be “perfect.”
You can be a person with good character, morals, and integrity even if you make mistakes. Your children will want you to be a good example and follow your lead if you set an excellent example of how to behave.
So what can you do to raise your kid the right way despite the challenges our world presents? Try these:
1. Become an active leader in your child’s life. Don’t be a bystander to your child’s life. He needs your guidance, support, and direction. Show your child that you care about him by acting as though he belongs in your life. That will make it easier for him to believe that he belongs.
* Also, get directly involved in your child’s emotional and character growth. Set an example in carrying out household responsibilities. And don’t make excuses when things fail. Take charge, and your child will grow up to be a confident, motivated individual.
2. Become a mirror for healthy behavior. A parent can give his son or daughter all the essentials of life; food, shelter, and education. But none of that will amount to much unless the child also learns valuable lessons. Those lessons should be about character, morals, and healthy norms.
* Your child should also see you and your spouse united as one, not arguing all the time. A child that knows how much his parents love each other, and sees that his parents can stick together through thick and thin, will feel more secure and confident.
3. Communicate with your kid. Parents need to spend lots of time talking with their kids. A loving and attentive dialog between parents and children can encourage healthy development.
* In particular, research shows that the first three years of a child set the pace for how well they’ll progress professionally and academically in the future. Communication makes a child feel secure, which is essential for healthy development.
4. Build a healthy home. A safe and stable home is a crucial part of your child’s development. A home that’s always full of chaos or conflict can make it difficult for a child to develop well.
* A healthy home also means ensuring maximum physical health. Make sure your child gets proper healthcare, exercise, and nutrition.
* Some practical things include purifying the air in the home, eliminating dangerous chemicals or drugs, and limiting screen time to no more than two hours a day.
5. Choose wisely regarding your child’s friends and extracurricular activities. Children’s friends are a significant part of their development. The friends they make early in life will often play a huge role in shaping their futures.
* It is beneficial for your child to be involved in extracurricular activities. That not only improves self-esteem but also expands a child’s horizon and gives them access to diverse opportunities they might otherwise miss.
It is important to remember that raising an exemplary child does not require you to be perfect. What your child needs is for you to be an excellent example to follow, not a perfect parent. Your child will look up to you and will imitate your behavior.
The things your child sees in you and observes in how you treat others are what he will take as right or wrong. Showing your child how incredible life can be through kindness, empathy, and hard work is what they need from you most.
