“Parenting” is often a term taken for granted. This is a term where the magnitude of the outcome is often under rated or undermined. Looking at a child parent relationship and the actual significance of it in the life of a child is unparallel to any other sort of engagement or relationship. If the parents are invested in a child’s life, then the returns are great. Parenting is a job that you are engaged in even when no one’s looking.
Parenting is also a role that you play at all times in the child’s life but in different intensity and grades over time. Parenting also entails responsibilities that promote the development of a child. Parenting and development are the two hands that are needed to make a proper hand shake. Often parents are in a dilemma as to how to help a child develop wholistically. Let’s look at three ways:
Cognitive growth:
The word cognitive refers to the thought processes. The development of the child with relation to their thoughts of themselves, of others, of the general society. As much as this is respect to the people that are involved in the child’s life, it is equally important to develop positive thoughts regarding the child’s view on achievements, failures and relationship issues. It is pivotal that parents are involved in the child’s life to help them navigate through the difficult seasons.
Relational growth:
The bond between the parents is closely observed by children and a lot of mannerisms are developed from this observance. They are keen to see how the parents treat one another and them as well. This becomes a hallmark of their development. A child growing in a home that doesn’t respect women will grow up thinking that it is okay to hit women and speak badly to them. As the child develops, it could lead to a lot of relational problems as the child grows up into an adult with marriage in mind. It will be the start of a dysfunctional family. Likewise, if the thinking was in the opposite direction where the home is filled with love and acceptance, dual partnership and respect, the child will imbibe those qualities which will largely help him to the betterment of himself, his family and inevitably the society. This bonding also develops in the child the strength to endure hardships that life will throw at him and it will also be an impetus to reach his goals. It will build in him the need for team spirit, picking the right friends and working towards the common good.
Physical aspects:
Children develop and catch a lot of habits from the parents. For example – a child’s overeating habit is a concept the child definitely picks up from the home. Vice versa for a child who understands how the food that they eat will help nourish his body, he will be able to make those healthy choices.
What are some ways that parents can help to enhance the development of their child?
Be honest with struggles: In many cultures, sharing struggles with children are considered to be a sign of weakness or even considered as taboo. When struggles are shared with children, it helps them to understand the reality of life. Often when they are sheltered, they find it hard to accept reality when it happens.
Be sensitive to your child’s needs: There is also a tendency to neglect the needs of the child thinking that they are children, it’s okay, they will manage. It is crucial to not neglect the needs of the child and to be mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally available to your child’s needs.
Be communicating at all times: It is bound that in any journey, there will be parts of the journey that will be bumpy however, our aim is to not stop and think this is a journey that you can’t take but instead keep moving forward, it will yield great results. Children learn the importance of communication especially when it is demonstrated at home. The way we speak and communicate, the choice of words, the tone and the intent all are observed and picked up by the child. Therefore, one has to be careful of the underlying messages that are being translated to the child.
Don’t forget to play with the child: Often parents go about doing the things that matter to them but it will go a long way if parents involve themselves in the child’s life. Engage in the things that interest the child, build that relationship that communicates over things that mean something to them. This is will help to build relationships that based on trust and good will, which will become the bedrock of a healthy family.
Comments