New Year Resolutions ⇒ A New You!

By Rupal Jasraj Patel 

(Child Psychologist, Parenting Expert, and Parent & Child Counsellor)

The time has come once again to start afresh! 

To set goals and make fresh resolutions for the New Year! 

Exercise more. Work harder. Take more holidays. Eat healthily. Learn a sport. Mend relationships. Make new friends. Read more. And the list continues...

However, one of the most important goals you can set are parenting goals! 

Why? 

Because they not only help you de-stress and stay calm but create a huge positive impact on your children, on your relationship with them and lead to happier, more harmonious family lives.

So a few basic pointers to get you started towards those goals....

Use these resolutions or make your own,

Just be determined to set the tone,

Start afresh, start anew,

Create happy memories for your child and you!!

    1) Do I want...

       - to build a stronger bond with my kids?
- the temper tantrums to reduce?
- a happy family?

è SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR CHILD! The key is to spend time on a daily basis – even if it is just 10 or 15 minutes on a busy day. Make the time to spend one on one time with every child. Get to really know them, their passions, their dreams, their fears.

          2)  Do I want my child...

               - to become self-confident?
        - to believe in herself?
        - to be self-motivated?

è ENCOURAGE! ENCOURAGE! ENCOURAGE! I am sure all parents want to encourage their children but let us step it up another notch here. Make a conscious effort to encourage – focus on their strengths, on what they are doing right and what you appreciate about them. And ensure to vocalize those thoughts!

3)  Do I want my child....

       - to share her problems with me?
- to create precious memories with me?
- to listen when I talk?

è LISTEN MORE! Childhood does not wait for anyone. Make the time to really listen to your kids when they talk, no matter what their age. When they talk or even go on babbling, give them your undivided attention and respect! Look up from your computer, switch off the television, get off your what's app, put down the newspaper. You will be setting a great path for communication in the future.

  

         4) Do I want...

          - to be a good parent?
   - to lead by example?
   - to be calm when dealing with stressful situations?

è LOOK AFTER YOURSELF! Just as a tired child is a  cranky child, a tired and stressed parent is a whole new level of crankiness! Take time for yourself.  Find your de-stressor – whether music, books, movies or just going for a walk. Look after your health – not just physical but also your mental and emotional well being. A happy parent will be able to take a cranky child also on the path to joy!

      5) Parenting - The most important job we will ever do!

           - Is parenting a priority for me?
     - Am I willing to enhance my parenting skills?

    - Do I want to learn all the parenting techniques that will help me in raising a self-confident, courageous and a co-operative child who becomes a responsible, independent, and a well-rounded individual?

        - Should I wait till I have problems to join a parenting program or join it now so that I can avoid the problems from occurring?

è ENHANCE YOUR PARENTING SKILLS - ENROL IN A PARENTING PROGRAM! Most parents think parenting should be intuitive; something they should just inherently know. Yes, that is true - but just as a person who is inherently good at teaching needs to learn skills to become better or a person who is creatively inclined needs to take art lessons, we need to learn skills too - especially since we play the most important role in life - that of being a parent! Shouldn't we learn as much as we can about it?

Make your parenting resolutions NOW! 
Happy Parenting! :)

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