Tips Any Parent Could Use for Being A Better Mom or Dad

Being a parent can be as challenging as any career, and just as rewarding, if not more so. Parenting stretches your abilities, tests your patience, and helps you become the person you are. So, what can you do if you want to be a better parent? When your kids are driving you crazy, and you are ready to give up on parenting, think about these three parenting tips:

Tip one: Laugh a lot.

Have you ever heard one of those stories about the parent who bought a new piece of furniture, or had their carpets cleaned just to come home to a child who poured a box of cereal and a gallon of milk right on the floor, and danced in it? Ask yourself how you would respond in this kind of situation. What would you do if your child ruined something new, or made a huge mess? Most humans would admit they would yell a little, ground their kids, and say some things under their breath as they begrudgingly clean up the mess. Well, to be a better parent it is time to take a new look at these kinds of situations. A child who gets yelled at every time they make a mistake will grow up in fear of failure and will likely never succeed. So, from now on learn to laugh it off. Next time you walk in to your child covered in mess and things in upheaval, take a big breath, and laugh. Face it, usually it is fairly comical. No, grab your kids, and get them in the car, and go out for ice cream. This will give you time to calm down about the mess, and gives your children time to feel remorse, not fear of reprisal. You will be surprised how much better this will work. Obviously, you do not want to reward poor behavior; however, when you are ready to snap, a time out for something fun is a good idea.

Tip two: Establish some traditions.

Part of being a parent is being a family. One of the best ways to be a better parent is to take time to make your family closer. One of the best ways to make your family closer is to establish some family traditions. Start by finding something your family enjoys doing, and make a habit of doing it every week. For example, for a family that loves eating out, make a habit of going to breakfast on Saturdays. Most people have time Saturday mornings, and this will give them a chance to talk, spend time together, and will give your children something to look forward to that involves their parents and family. If you have family traditions, and spend time together as a family, you become a better parent by default because you will be around your kids and learn more about them, their needs, their concerns, etc.

Tip three: Never compare yourself to others.

If you want to be a better parent, it is time to stop looking at how you compare to other parents. If you have more than one child then you know that every child is different, well so is every parent. That does not make one parent better than another any more than it makes one child better than another. We all have our strengths, and we all have our weaknesses. If you focus on other parents and compare yourself to them, then you are sure to start doubting your abilities. Part of being a good parent is having self esteem in that area. So, instead of comparing yourself to others, learn some of the good things other people do, and be proud that you have raised your children thus far.