Being a new parent is a life-changing experience for every person. Having a responsibility to take charge of a human’s life is serious and scary. With the many changes happening in these few years, becoming a new parent has become more challenging. Here are four tips that we can share with you on becoming new parents in the new era.
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Remember, there is no one right way to raise a child
There is definitely no one right way to raise a child. No matter how you raise your kids, other people will talk about it. It hurts when a family member criticises how you raise your kids, but a casual comment from a stranger can hurt just as much. Sometimes, the advice given is a pearl of wisdom that you should keep and use. But most of the time, it’s best to ignore these comments and move on.
The key is to know what to pay attention to and what to ignore. By asking yourself these questions, you can learn to tell the difference between good advice and bad criticism and how to respond to both.
Your kids don’t want you to be perfect. They want you to love them and do the best you can. If you’re doing that, then you’re doing fine. If someone tells you it’s not enough, you should definitely not listen to them.
Resist competitive parenting.
At its worst, competitive parenting puts a lot of pressure on kids because it tells them, “You need to do well so I can prove I’m a good parent.” What a terrible thing to put on a child’s shoulders.
At its worst, competitive parenting puts a lot of pressure on kids because it tells them, “You need to do well so I can prove I’m a good parent.” What a terrible thing to put on a child’s shoulders.
To fight against the pull of competitive parenting, you have to make an effort. We need to realise that our kids aren’t just lumps of clay that need to be shaped. They each have their own set of strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and interests and dislikes. They are shaped not only by us as their parents, but also by the choices they make, the things they do, and the people they meet.
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Use screen time effectively
There is evidence that a young child who spends a lot of time in front of a screen may be more likely to:
- reduced sleep and sleep disorders
- to have a weight problem (such as obesity)
Screens can be on phones, tablets, computers, TVs, and gaming devices. Here’s a simple rule for new parents to manage screen time for their newborns (up until 18 months) – avoid screen time as a whole, except for photographs and video calls. The first two years of life are when a baby’s brain develops the most. That’s why it’s so important for babies and toddlers to explore their surroundings and learn about different sights, sounds, tastes, and textures. Children learn more about the world around them when they talk to and play with other kids.
ead up.
Too much parenting, a.k.a. helicopter parenting is not it
The term “helicopter parent” was first used by teens in Dr. Haim Ginott’s 1969 book Parents & Teenagers. They said their parents were like helicopters, hovering over them. It became well-known enough that it was added to the dictionary in 2011. “Lawnmower parenting,” “cosseting parent,” and “bulldoze parenting” are all terms that mean the same thing.
Whether you over-parent because you love them too much or because you want to see yourself in them, it’s not the best way to raise kids.
You should let your child make mistakes and learn from them instead. To help them when they ask, but not to jump in every time. Every child and every parent is different, so there is no one way to raise a child. But we know that kids with caring and loving parents are tough, so let them “run free” sometimes and enjoy being a parent.
It would be impossible for us to cover everything that you will need to know before becoming a parent. One thing is for sure, enjoy every moment with your baby. Time flies so fast that you won’t even notice it. There would be hard times ahead with every transition. It is important for you to be calm and keep your head up.
