Can I be a better parent? Every now and then I have a search through my blog stats to see where people are coming from and what words they are using to find my blog. Every single day the phrase “how to be a better parent” comes up. Now, the very fact that these people are searching this tells me they are probably already doing a good job and more than likely a great job. It is a fairly general phrase, so I started thinking, “what information are these parents really after?” What do we all need to know to be a better parent? Or the very best parent we can be?
Not definitive, not new or groundbreaking and not perfect…..but here are 4 ways I came up with that will go a long way to ensuring you are being the best parent you can be.
Work with your strengths and get support for your weaknesses
We are never going to be great at every aspect of parenting. Some are great at sitting down and doing crafts (not me) and some are great at playing imaginary games (not me). Some are great cooks and have extravagant afternoon tea snacks laid out (not me). In fact now I am not so sure what my strengths are! Well I do love watching them play sport (cricket, not so much). I am getting better at sharing my time with them all. I am OK at helping them with homework, although my husband says I get a bit too excited with some assignments, especially the history ones. But along the way there is no shame in getting help, seeking support or outsourcing others to get you through. We are all so different in our personalities, skills and values that we can never be expected to parent like everybody else. So don’t compare to others, just accept your differences instead. [Read more...]
