Words of appreciation, love and empathy from parents can play a very important role in boosting confidence of a child. Let us take a look at the things all children need to hear from their parents.A child’s first teachers are her own parents, who have a responsibility to take care of not just her survival needs but also her emotional and spiritual needs.When she is young, she is still trying to cope up with the world. She is not an emotional punching bag, on which you can show your personal frustrations nor is she a robot.
To make your child a good person, you must nurture her positive self-esteem which will enable her to love herself first, to take care of others, be confident and to turn failure into success. As parents, you need to assure her of your love so that they remember your words when they need support and encouragement. Though these sentences are extremely simple, they hold a wealth of meaning which your child will cherish later on.
1. “I love you”
Love is the centre of every child’s universe, and you need to make them feel special. Even the costliest toy would not equal to a simple and sincere “I love you”. When you tell your child that you love her and say so often, it makes her feel valued and important. Your assurance of love helps them to
grow emotionally and encourages them to try again after failing once. It also heals past wounds and lets them know that they are precious to you. This simple act of showing love teaches them to love themselves and to love others.
2. “I am listening to you”
Nowadays, we listen only to reply. However, it is essential to listen to your child when she has to say something. Paying full attention to your child’s words lets them know that their opinions matter to you. It is better to put away your work and hear her out, since this is how you get to know how your child is on the inside. Listening also helps in
interaction between the parent and child and gives both a sense of being valued. Arguing or pushing her away creates a negative bond; instead of ordering them about, first listen to her and then provide guidance. Always ask for her opinion afterwards.
3. “I know you can do it”
Sometimes, your child needs a boost of confidence just before a particularly difficult mathematics test. Instead of simply telling her to study more, assure her that she can score good marks but she needs to study. Your encouragement will build effort and persistence in her, making it easier for her to handle conflicts in later life. Positive support will develop optimism in them when they believe in their abilities. Tell them to realistic as that failure is another name for success and they must try to achieve their dreams.
4. “I am sorry”
Forgiveness is necessary in any relationship. Ask for forgiveness from your child when you are wrong. This act will teach her that it is natural to make mistakes and develop compassion for others. Your child will also realise that nobody is perfect; by
apologizing and admitting your own mistakes, your child would be able to accept her own shortcomings as well. Forgiveness also makes it possible for you to have an environment of tolerance, which your child will appreciate in later life.
5. “You are a responsible child”
Your child needs to be accountable for her words and actions, and she will make mistakes. When you let her face the consequences of her own actions, you are actually teaching her an important lesson. Your child needs all kinds of experiences to understand what is good and bad for her, which will make her responsible. Overprotecting your child would weaken her ability to live her life efficiently; giving her responsibility assures her that you believe in her.
As a
good parent, you need to incorporate the values of both love and discipline in your child. Humiliation is a no-no as it can seriously damage your relationship with the child. Your relationship with your child is what will guide her to develop friendships later which will make her develop more ideas about herself and others. Make sure that your loving relationship with your child lasts long after her childhood.
Which things should children hear from their parents? How to interact with children? What kind of communication mistakes do parents make? Discuss here.