Helpful Resources to Benefit Your Parenting Journey
This week Emily Graham, an independent author and owner of the website www.mightymoms.net, has written an article for our Bub & Me mamas, offering helpful resources to support your parenting journey.
Parenting isn’t easy for anyone. Once you figure out how to guide your child through one phase of their life, though, it seems like a whole new host of challenges follows in the next. Nevertheless, the fulfillment that comes from parenting is unmatched. And with a little help from other parents who have been there, perhaps your experience can be made a little less overwhelming. Whether you’re an expecting parent or have been one for 15 years, these resources might be able to help you on your journey to natural and conscious parenting.
Learning and Development
Children are always learning, and there are many ways parents can help their children learn even when they’re not in school.
If your child has trouble in certain subjects or needs extra support, look for helpful strategies to give them motivation.
You can also provide additional motivation when you find ways to mix education and fun with activities that inspire.
Screen time in small doses can actually be beneficial when it comes to education, and it has been shown to help with improved vocabulary, math skills and socialization.
Disciplining with Love
There are many different approaches to discipline; however, staying positive and remaining calm can help you effectively teach your kids right from wrong.
Incorporate positive forms of discipline to establish reasonable limits that feel more encouraging rather than harshly punitive.
Be mindful of your response and behavior when your child makes you angry. Remember: you are the one in control.
Establish healthy boundaries early on for both your child and your approach to parenting.
Modelling the behavior you want to see starts with you. Make a point to walk the walk and set a good example for your children.
Fostering Health
By teaching your children healthy habits from an early age, you can lay the foundation for them to grow up to be healthy adults.
Encourage exercise by finding fun ways to be physically active together. Mix it up so that you never get stuck in a rut.
Making things fun includes teaming up with your kids in the kitchen and showing them how to cook and prepare meals.
Ensure your children are getting enough sleep by promoting healthy daily habits and adhering to regular bedtime routines.
Teach Self-Care
While it’s important to discuss the benefits of self-care with our kids, many adults could use a few tips on how to actually incorporate this healthy practice on their own. When we don’t care for ourselves, it’s harder to care for others. Plus, when we practice self-care, our children will take notice and can be inspired to do the same.
Model proper oral health by taking care of your teeth. If your teeth need straightening, invest in a top-rated alignment system to make it easier to keep your teeth clean and boost your self-confidence. This is also a great way to blaze a path if your child will eventually need braces.
Make an effort to take time for yourself, and motivate your children and partner to do the same. Time spent alone, even in small increments, is highly restorative.
Great ways to make the most of time alone include guided meditation, starting a yoga practice, journaling every day and even going for walks solo.
Because children learn best by example, do what you can to optimize your home for wellness and positivity. That means avoiding negativity and criticism, and basically doing what you can to eliminate bad energy that gets in the way of living your best life.
No two parenting journeys are the same, but all are filled with challenges and joys. Consider the tips listed here for helping your child’s learning and developing, disciplining with love, and fostering the health of your child. Hopefully, some of the advice can benefit your parenting and help you to get the most out of the whole experience.
Emily Graham is the creator of Mighty Moms and the author of this blog post. She believes being a Mum is one of the hardest jobs around and wanted to create a support system for Mums from all walks of life. On her site, she offers a wide range of info tailored for busy Mums -- from how to reduce stress to creative ways to spend time together as a family.