6 Handy tips to make it possible to raise ‘good’ kids
Raising children poses significant challenges, and the influence of technology has added to the complexity. Parents aspire to provide their kids with the tools needed for independent adulthood. In the digital age, everyone is crafting their unique approaches to parenting, and the emphasis on parenting styles sometimes distracts from fundamental priorities.
Harvard researchers have delved into essential parenting principles, highlighting the significance of instilling kindness and empathy in children. The following are six key principles they deem crucial for effective raising a child.
01. Spend time with your kids
Above all, dedicating time to be with children is paramount. According to Harvard researchers, this forms the cornerstone of effective child-rearing. Actively engaging with kids, listening attentively, and posing open-ended questions about their perceptions within various contexts such as home and school are crucial.
Attentive listening allows for a deeper understanding of each child’s uniqueness, enabling parents to impart lessons on expressing care and concern for others.
02. Express it verbally if it holds significance
Ensuring clear communication of messages to children is crucial. Despite many parents and caregivers expressing the priority of instilling caring values in their kids, researchers note that this message may not always reach the intended recipients.
It’s essential to explicitly convey the importance of empathy and kindness to children. Additionally, it can be beneficial to seek feedback from individuals who interact with your children, such as teachers, coaches, and friends, to assess their behavior in various contexts.
03. Demonstrate to your child how to resolve issues or conflicts
Assist your children in decision-making by pinpointing the underlying issues and collaborating with them on potential solutions. For instance, if your child expresses a desire to quit a particular activity, encourage them to articulate the reasons behind this decision and then work together to determine if those issues can be addressed.
Explore whether quitting genuinely resolves the problem. Additionally, ensure that they comprehend the impact of their decisions on others.
04. Establish a routine that promotes helpfulness and gratitude
Research indicates that individuals who regularly express gratitude tend to exhibit qualities such as helpfulness, generosity, compassion, and forgiveness. Moreover, they are more likely to experience happiness and maintain good health, according to the findings of the study.
The researchers suggest that parents play a role in instilling the habit of helping others and expressing gratitude in their kids. It is advised that parents refrain from praising every kind act and reserve rewards for “good” behavior only in moderation. The researchers recommend praising uncommon acts of kindness as a more effective approach.
05. Monitor your child’s negative or destructive emotions
The researchers observed that the capacity for caring about others can be overshadowed by emotions like anger, shame, or envy. It is crucial to guide your kids in navigating through these negative emotions and support them in maintaining their focus on becoming caring individuals.
Establishing clear boundaries is a vital aspect of parenting, as it helps children understand that these limits are set out of love and concern for their safety.
06. Help your ‘good’ kids see the broader perspective
The researchers note that most children naturally empathize with and care about a limited circle of family and friends. While caring for those close to them is instinctive, it is crucial to instill a sense of concern for people beyond their immediate social, cultural, and geographic circles. Exposure to travel, meeting diverse individuals, and embracing different cultures can broaden their worldview and help dispel any prejudices that may have formed.
Parents can also highlight examples of empathy and kindness in news and entertainment, emphasizing the significance of treating others with kindness. The study concludes by affirming that nurturing a caring, respectful, and ethical child requires dedicated effort, but it is a task that everyone is capable of undertaking, and it is inherently fulfilling and essential.
