Life presents many challenges, being a parent is one of them. As a parent, you deal with a roller coaster of responsibilities, from divergent emotions and personalities to the tug of war between order and chaos. Sometimes you may doubt yourself when your life doesn’t resemble another, and there may be occasions when you think about kicking the can and calling it quits. Taking care of another human being from conception to adulthood is not easy, especially multiple ones. But, despite parenthood feeling overwhelming, it’s not impossible. No matter where you are in life, you can be a present and loving parent and conquer any obstacles that come your way. Here are a few resources and tips that can help you on your journey. 

Fuel Your Kid’s Self-Confidence 

Kids who are more confident are more likely to succeed socially and academically and will have a better quality of life.  

• Giving your children age-appropriate responsibilities will help them feel like they’re successful at something.  
• Hobbies give children something to be good at outside of the classroom. It makes them unique and lets them see their self-worth.  

• Model confidence by pursuing your academic dreams and exploring numerous ways to job success.  
• Help your kid set goals. Show them how to break a big goal into parts and what to do to overcome any obstacles that might come up.  
• Compliment their efforts, not the results.  

Show Unconditional Love 

Even when your kid is throwing a tantrum or acting out, one of the best things you can do as a parent is show unconditional love. This will make it easier for your child to develop healthy relationships in the future.  

• Physical affection can be as simple as holding hands with your kid or giving them a hug. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by touch, it’s okay to take a break. Just remember to explain that it’s not your kid’s fault. 
• Dedicate a certain amount of time to spend with your kid, whether you’re doing activities or simply watching a movie together. This will help them feel special, and it will make it easier for you to put your energy into them.  

• Saying “I love you” is easy and will help them get comfortable with showing emotion.  
• Talking to them and making eye contact will let them know they’re important to you.  

Remember to Take Care of Yourself 

It’s crucial that you take care of yourself. Don’t feel selfish about self-care. It will help you be a better parent and keep from getting burnt out.  

• Find out what activities recharge you, so you can gain back any depleted energy. 
• Emotionally tense situations can be hard to cope with, so teaching your child self-soothing techniques. Modeling these can help both of you stay calm.  
• Sticking to a routine will help you feel less stressed throughout the day.  

• Sleeping at least 8 hours per day will give your nervous system more power and get you ready for a day of parenting.  

As a parent, you’re responsible for shaping how your child handles things in the future. By providing unconditional love, support, and taking time for yourself, you’ll give your child a better chance of success.

It’s important to also remember that you will make mistakes and that is ok. Take any failures as an opportunity to learn and grow. Also, remember that you are not alone, other than your significant other, there is a whole society of strong and supportive adults who can be positive role models for your child. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help. As the old saying goes, “it takes a village to raise a child”.

Post by Stephanie Haywood

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