Success tips for the toughest and sweetest job on earth
As the world changes, parenting must also evolve. The challenge of raising children in Canada is perhaps greater for immigrants given the patriarchal culture in some of their home countries. Here are 15 useful tips to help you along in your journey to be a great parent to your children:
1. Set boundaries wisely
Children crave limits, which help them understand and manage an often confusing world. Show your love by setting boundaries so your kids can explore and discover their passions safely.
2. Give them responsibilities early.
Your toddler’s mission in life is to gain independence. So when he/she is developmentally capable of putting her toys away, clearing her plate from the table, and dressing herself, let her. Giving a child responsibility is good for her self-esteem (and your sanity!).
3. Teach them resilience
Parents have a tendency of wanting to fix everything for their children.
Give young kids a chance to find their own solutions. When you lovingly acknowledge a child’s minor frustrations without immediately rushing in to save her, you are teaching her self-reliance and resilience.
4. Pick your battles and don’t sweat the small stuff
Kids can’t absorb too many rules without tuning off completely. Forget arguing about little stuff like fashion choices and occasional potty language. Focus on the things that really matter — such as no hitting, rude talk, or lying.
5. Spend quality and quantity time 
Play with your children. Let them choose the activity, and don’t worry about rules. Just go with the flow and have fun.
Despite your busy schedule, try and spend quality and quantity time with your children. It pays off in the long run.
6. Read books together every day
Get started when he’s a newborn. Babies love listening to the sound of their parent’s voices. Cuddling up with your child and a book is a great bonding experience that will set him/her up for a lifetime of reading.
As your kids get older you can move from reading to them, to reading with them.
7. Schedule daily or weekly special time
Let your child choose an activity where you hang out together for 10 or 15 minutes with no interruptions. There’s no better way for you to show your love.
As they get older, you can make the special times weekly.
8. Have family rituals and create warm memories
Your children will probably not remember anything that you say to them, but they will recall the family rituals — like bedtimes and game night or other special activities — that you do together.
9. Be a good role model
With children, actions speak louder than wards way oldies. You should strive to be a role model your children deserve. Kids learn by watching their parents. Modeling appropriate, respectful, good behavior works much better than telling them what to do.
Husbands take note of treating your wives with respect, and wives always show honor to your husbands.
10. Kiss and hug your spouse in front of the kids
Your marriage is the only example your child has of what an intimate relationship looks, feels, and sounds like. So it’s your job to set a great standard.
11. Praise your kids without over flattering
Give appropriate praise. Instead of simply saying, “You’re great,” try to be specific about what your child did to deserve the positive feedback. You might say, “Waiting until I was off the phone to ask for cookies was hard, and I really liked your patience.”
12. Teach them social skills too
Ask your children three “you” questions every day. The art of conversation is an important social skill, but parents often neglect to teach it. Get a kid going with questions like, “Did you have fun at school?”; “What did you do at the party you went to?”; or “Where do you want to go tomorrow afternoon?”
13. Show the power of saying thank you
Gratitude should be taught from an early age. Teach your kids to say thank you after a meal, or when they receive any gift.
Grateful people are happier people. You want your kids to be in this category.
14. Teach them to serve others
Show your child how to become a responsible citizen. Find ways to help others all year. Kids gain a sense of self-worth by volunteering in the community.
15. TV in the bedroom? No
Research has repeatedly shown that children with a TV in their bedroom weigh more, sleep less, and have lower grades and poorer social skills.
The research also indicated that parents with a television in their bedroom have sex less often.
So leave the TV in the family room and set clear guidelines on the use of mobile phones.
What is the toughest job on the planet?
Yes, parenthood is probably the most exhausting job on the planet. Your house is a mess, the laundry’s always piled up, and you hardly ever get any free time. ((PARENTS))
But there’s laughter in the house. So parenting is tough. But sweet. So, enjoy this parenting moment. It will fly past before you know it.
