Life by itself is a difficult task, let alone the idea of becoming a parent and now being fully responsible for another individual. This reality can be exciting yet stressful. How do you care for a person that does not have the acquired language to express their emotions and thoughts? How do you prepare for parenthood when there are multiple expectations preset for you? As a parent, we want to protect, mold and nurture healthy bonding and developmental progression with our child(ren), but how do we make sure that we are doing the best we can?
Here are a few reminders that can be implemented toward constructing healthier ways of how we interact with our “little broke best friends” (lol):
1). Remember what they are—a child. As much as we want our children to be independent and self-sufficient, they still need us to be there since they are SIMPLY children. Your interactions and choices are a blueprint to how they will interpret life.
2). Provide and guard an environment that is safe and fostering to their formation of relationships, and, more importantly, autonomy. Encouraging interpersonal interactions fosters healthy communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
3). Offer structure and consistency, as this will culitvate trust and accountbility. Children thrive when they identify relationships as being reliable and dependable. Agree only to what you are able to fulfill.
4).Engage and encourage open dialogue. Teach them that they have a voice, which is developed in allowing them the freedom to experience their emotions.
5). Hug, kiss, cuddle, say “I love you.” Affection enhances the child’s feeling of belonging.
For additional tips, read “The ABCs of Parenting” by Leah Davies.
A culmination of these practices from you and your child(ren) will promote positive parenting and bonding.
“When you can talk about your feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. “ -Fred Rogers
Chineze Martinez is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Certified Addiction Professional. Contact Chineze Martinez at jkmclinical@gmail.com or on Facebook at Just Keep Moving Clinical Services, LLC. For more parenthood news courtesy of the Indianapolis Recorder, click here. You can also check out the Indiana Minority Business Magazine by clicking here.
Keep up the good work Doctor Chi. You seem to have the answers now we as parents need to do the work. We appreciate the words of wisdom and education.
Great tips. Just when you think you have all as a parent. You continue to learn.
Chineze Martinez,
Thank you for the amazing article on Parenthood!! As a mother, I know first hand it’s not easy, but it’s been worth it! The tips you have provided are ones any parent can utilize to assure there is love, communication, trust, structure, and ongoing perseverance in ones household as a family unit!! Thank you and I look forward to reading more of what you are putting out!!
Thank you for the Mental Health arrival last week and the Parenthood article this week. I appreciate the writer , Ms. Martinez perspective. Pleas keep them coming.
Being a parent that never had this example, I’ve struggled with connecting/understanding my kids. Reading these simple steps can truly help me figure out how to change our relationships.
Awesome! That’s so very true as, we know this to be as it stands for today’s parental society.
It’s having the knowledge and the understanding of how to parent…..and for it to explained and explained clearly!!
Thank you for being candid with your comment, as we know, that from generation to generation and culture to culture there is much needed understanding on how to parent and what parenthood means!
In solitude,