Being a parent is tough. While it is rewarding, it is also a 24×7 job that doesn’t have any breaks. You, as a parent, have the responsibility of nurturing your child and helping them develop their personality, intelligence and how to be a good person. A parent is a role model to their children which means what a parent does is very impressionable on their children.
One of the key elements of being a good parent is being a supportive parent. A supportive parent provides their children with love, warmth, guidance, support and protection. But it isn’t that easy. While being fully supportive, a parent also has to make sure they allow their children to grow as an individual and develop with their unique personalities and identity.
Supportive parenting is not just about being a friend to your child. It is also about creating the sort of environment where your child feels valued, respected and understood. It also includes the parent being emotionally available, empathetic and responsive to their child’s needs. Supportive parents help and believe in building strong connections with their children and their main aim is to instill a sense of trust and security in the parent child relationship.
Tips for being a supportive parent
- Show unconditional love: You, as a supportive parent, should know the importance of showing your kids your unconditional love. It helps a child believe in themselves and lets them know that they are loved and cared for even if they sometimes deviate from their learning. They should know that you will love them no matter what.
- Practice active listening: Your child should know that when they tell you something, you are listening to them and paying attention. What they say and what you hear coincide when you practice active listening. Listen to their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. Let them know that you hear them, understand them, and validate their experiences.
- Be empathetic: You should practice empathy even with your child. Hear them out and don’t invalidate their feelings, situations or experiences by considering them as just a child. Each child is a unique individual and they have their own experiences and with today’s ever-changing world, it is important to support them and try and understand their experiences and let them know about some healthy coping mechanisms and that it is okay to feel different emotions.
- Encourage independence: Make sure to encourage your children’s independent development. Encourage them to take responsibilities which are age appropriate like cleaning their rooms, putting the dishes away, working on their schoolwork etc. Provide them guidance and support but don’t just do their work for them.
- Celebrate achievements: Achievements whether small or big should be celebrated. Acknowledge the efforts they put in, and let them know that a win is not guaranteed but the fact that they tried is important.
- Set boundaries: Make sure to teach your children about boundaries and maintain it with them but with love. Be clear and consistent but also enforce them with positive rewards rather than punishments. Use techniques that promote learning and growth.
- Be present and involved: As a supportive parent, try to be present. Most parents in today’s time work to provide for their children and as a result forget to spend time with them. But at the end of the day, what a child remembers is when their parents were present and involved in their life instead of how much money or gifts they got. Spend time with them, engage in activities they like, learn about their hobbies and interests, ask about their school experiences. Show that you are genuinely interested in them.
- Provide emotional support: Be the parent who your children can turn to for comfort and reassurance. Provide them with emotional support. Ask them whether they just want to vent their feelings out or want actual advice from you. Offer them a shoulder to cry on, or a listening ear and give them words of encouragement. While they should learn to be resilient, let them know that it is okay to ask for help.
- Lead by example: Children are very impressionable, especially at an early age. What you do, how you behave, your actions, words etc., they observe them and enact them. So, if you want your children to model good behavior you have to be the one who practices it and lead them by example.
- Stay connected: Keep in touch with your children and encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings with you. Generate trust and mutual respect. Be honest, supportive and non-judgemental. Even a 10-minute check-in means a lot to kids as they see you making an effort to talk to them and understand them and get to know them. Make time to have regular conversations and check-ins.
Conclusion
Being a supportive parent is essential for fostering healthy development, resilience, and self-confidence in children. By practicing active listening, empathy, and unconditional love, you can create a nurturing environment where your children feel valued, understood, and empowered to thrive. Remember to celebrate their achievements, provide guidance and encouragement, and lead by example. Building strong relationships with your children takes time, effort, and patience, but the rewards are immeasurable. As you embark on this journey of parenthood, strive to be the supportive, loving, and nurturing parent your children need and deserve.
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