Parenting is one of the most challenging roles in a person’s life. From early childhood to later stages, parenting continues to have many facets. Life can be stressful when you are a parent, and it is harder if you feel you are not doing the right thing. Learn to follow your instincts when it comes to deciding what is best for you as a parent and for your child’s future.
Below are five parenting challenges that parents usually face.
From feeding your baby to getting their immunization done, parents must monitor their children all the time. Early parenting is one of the most challenging periods in a parent’s life. No matter how many books you read, your experience will be novel. It will be a skill that you will have to develop on your own as a parent. During early parenting stage, there will be sleep deprivation and different sleep patterns for the parents because it will mostly rely on the child's behavior.
If the baby is always crying, then you will have to provide support to calm the baby. It is common for parents to get maternity or paternity leave from work during this stage. Leave will last for only around a few months, which suggests that you will need extra help in managing your baby. Hiring a caretaker or nanny will be very helpful during this stage, mainly if both parents are working. Looking after the needs of the baby will be a full-time job and will have to be taken very seriously.
Parents will have a tough time during their teenage years. Teenage is when children find their own feet in the world and are trying many different things. It is also the time that they are the most rebellious. For parents, this can be very challenging because both the parents will have their own predisposed rules and regulations for their child. Parents can be disappointed with their children based on the expectations that they have for them.
It is important that you parent your child for who they are rather than who you want them to be. It will be challenging to observe from the child's perspective, so you will have to be patient and try to understand. You can have meaningful conversations with your children when you find it hard to understand them. Parents can help children see right from wrong, but if the child disobeys, then it will be hard for the parents to cope.
From alcohol issues, sexual issues and choosing the right friends, teenage years will be confusing for both you and your child. You can try to instill a sense of integrity in your child from a young age so that they can make the correct decisions during their teenage years.
One of the most challenging aspects for parents is when a child is misbehaving and is rude to them. It would benefit your child if you had specific rules and regulations around the house. You will need to make sure that they abide by the rules, but if they disobey, do not be too emotionally distraught. Teach them to be kind and helpful. When you give them certain responsibilities such as doing specific chores around the house and not watching TV till they finish homework, it will benefit them.
You can punish them if they disobey, but don’t physically harm them. You can verbally scold them or give them detention such as staying at home doing meditation or not going to parties. Children learn by observing their parents. If you use any violence in the house, your child will think this is acceptable behaviour. You need to clearly express to your child about what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior both inside and outside the house.
It can be hard for you to understand your child’s decision if it is very different. If your child decides to be a musician or a dancer when your family is full of engineers or doctors, it will be challenging for you. Let your child choose their path and don't be too judgemental about their decisions. It will be helpful if you try to teach them responsibility for their actions. Even if your child does the wrong thing, the chances are that your child will grow stronger because of that situation. Your child will learn to handle the consequences of making, and it will help them take more control over their own life.
You will have to be with your children when they are young and vulnerable, but after a certain age, they will have to learn to live on their own and by their standards. Do not take on the burden of your child’s mistakes, forgive them and help them forgive themselves. It is human nature to learn through experience.
You might feel that you are not doing the best job as a parent. Similar to children, even parents face doubts and difficulties. Our society is continuously judging you as a parent and your child for their actions. You might compare yourself to other parents who seem that they are doing a better job. It is not beneficial to think of parenting as a competition. Each parenting strategy is unique because each child is exclusive. Children have different strengths and weaknesses, and even you as a parent will be good at some parenting strategies.
Many children in history have followed their path despite criticisms and come out successful in life. Do not choose the best school or university for your child depending on societal pressure or higher rankings. Important decisions such as education should depend on your child’s strengths and personal choice. Remember that you are doing your best as a parent and do not be harsh on yourself if your child is not acting according to society’s expectations.