Developing parenting skills is the most important way parents can help prepare their children for life. Most people do not become parents with innate knowledge of child rearing. It is up to the parents to examine their own beliefs and behavior, and gain as much knowledge about child development as possible. Put thought into the parenting skills you think are important and try to live by them with flexibility, depending on your family and children's needs.
Positive Role Modeling
Children learn on the most basic level by watching their parents and imitating their behavior, especially the same-sex parent. For example, showing your child how to use the toilet is a key strategy in helping her potty-train. How you carry yourself though your daily life will give your child a model and example to use for her life. If you are compassionate towards people and animals and show confidence, you will teach your child to do the same.
Composure
Keeping your cool and staying calm is an important skill for parents because children look to you for cues on how to act. If you go ballistic at your son's T-ball coach, he will think it is okay to yell at people. If you get upset when your child falls, he will cry even when it didn't hurt. Children can be frustrating at times, and it is easy to act on impulse and give them a punishment that you simply cannot enforce. Always try to think before you act and take care of the situation in a calm, effective manner.
Positive Family Environment
This skill set encompasses both the physical and emotional atmosphere of the child's life. Create a nurturing, supportive and encouraging home for your child by spending loving, quality time with your her. Set up a supportive physical environment, depending on her developmental needs. For example, place blocks and crayons in a young child's room, and a desk with books in a school-age child's room. Be sure to support her personality and interests both physically and emotionally.
Appropriate Expectations
This skill includes merging both parents' parenting styles and beliefs, discipline and family management. Before your child is even born, you should discuss what you feel is the best way to raise your child based on your background, morals and the current research. Set up a plan, or guideline, so that as your child grows, you can communicate what is expected of him. Children often live up to your expectations, but keep in mind that the guidelines will need to be modified with age and the specific needs and abilities of your child. As your child grows, you can set up a discipline policy and a chore list that is age-appropriate and corresponds to your overall expectations. For example, if you want to raise your son to be a responsible community member, you can start by giving him the chore of keeping his room clean to build responsibility. When he is a bit older, you can encourage him to volunteer for a charity.
Consistency
Consistent routines are important in helping a child feel secure and confident. Consistent consequences for behavior are also important. After establishing expectations, chores or a behavior plan, it is important to clearly communicate to your child what the consequences will be if these expectations are not met. You must consistently follow through with the consequences for them to be effective.
