Parenting In Focus: Rules to live by for parents and children

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, January 27, 2021

All families are different, and one of the best things you can do for your child is to provide a great start. We know that some things you do in the early years of your child’s life make a difference throughout his life.

So get him off to a great start by doing the following:

• Feed him nutritiously. Even in the early years of his life you are setting a pattern.

• Talk with him a lot. This helps is brain develop and improves his vocabulary.

• Encourage his play. He needs exercise — moving, running, jumping, crawling — as a part of his life, and it begins by playing. When he watches television, it may keep him out of trouble but it doesn’t help him learn.

• Read to him. Talk about the book and the pictures. See how he describes the story in the book. Teach him to love books.

• Take him places to teach him about the world. Even the grocery store is one of those places. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic there are places to go and to see.

• Keep up on his immunizations. This is one way to keep him healthy.

• Learn about safety. He is depending on you to keep him safe.

• Love him. Your love, praise, and delight at his accomplishments make him feel good about himself.

Expectations

There are specific things that are expected of parents. Think about it: Are there things that come quickly to your mind Your child needs to feel that you are happy with him, that you are proud of him.

Can you talk together? Does he play with the dog each day? Is he kind to the neighbor’s little girl who can be rather annoying? Does he give the best hugs in the world? Does he ask to help you?

Be sure to tell him what makes you especially proud of him.

Parents can be very good about letting a child know when he does the wrong thing. But it is far more important to focus on the positives. Make certain that each day there are compliments on his behavior. This will help him gain self-confidence as well as teach him how to compliment other. It will help your life and his to be more positive.

One more rule for parents is to tell children how to succeed rather than how to fail. “Don’t jump on the sofa” and “Don’t climb on the counter” both leave your child guessing what he can do. Offer ways to redirect his energy.

You can dance to the music, jump on the mattress or ask me to run around the block with you.

The surprise hugs, the compliments, and the many important “I love you’s” are critical in helping your child feel good about life. The time you spend together and the positive ways you interact make a huge difference in your child’s life.

This goes for the little ones you have and even the big teenagers you might be raising.

Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and former executive director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which publishes newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents. For more information, email to info@firstteacher.org or call 360-681-2250.