Ways You Can Be A More Understanding Parent

All parents care, but we might have different ways of showing how we care. However, we all care for and adore our children so much that we wish them the utmost growth and happiness. 

If you want to be considerate of their needs and show more love, you have come to the right place. You might get worked up and worry you are showing them too little or too much attention. However, don’t worry, as we will be worrying for no reason. All we need to do is better understand their needs and wants.

Here’s why it’s essential to get involved with your child’s hobbies to understand their needs during each new year and how to become a more caring and understanding parent.  

Recognize they need independence. 

Children will require new levels of independence and breathing space as they age. Although it can be tough to let go of your child’s neediness, it is suitable for them so that they can mature and develop into a self-dependent human.

For instance, recognizing 8-year-old milestones will ensure you understand that your child wants to be more independent and self-reliant. Giving them the independence they want will ensure they feel comfortable dealing with their responsibilities. If your child does not state they crave more independence, you should give it to them. Doing so will encourage their growth and self-reliance.

Allow your children to make mistakes. 

Every human makes mistakes; I know I’ve made a few. Whether failing an exam or being late to an appointment due to missing an alarm, we all do things we can’t help or control. When your child makes a mistake, it is important not to shout at them or make them feel bad. It can be upsetting as a parent to see your child sad because they failed at something. However, uplifting and reassuring them will encourage them to understand it is okay to make mistakes.

Mistakes can be our most prominent teacher. Allowing your child to make mistakes (without making it a problem) will ensure they develop problem-solving skills.

Keep up communication. 

To be a more understanding parent comes from communicating efficiently with your child. If you have communication, you might know how they feel and what they are going through. The lack of open communication could make them dismissive or show undesired behaviors. I believe it’s crucial to create a balance. Doing so allows them to think for themselves while sharing my opinions without being pushy. However, it is beneficial to communicate the rights and wrongs of life with your child, so they can understand how to be wise and safe. 

Furthermore, communicating with them by asking them if they are okay is another thing to be mindful of. You should always check in with your child. Refrain from probing or assuming anything is wrong, and avoid asking them the same question too many times. However, asking how they are doing and giving them a shoulder to lean on will ensure they open up about their feelings. They might not feel comfortable or safe at first - but who starts off that way with their parents? It could be the first time someone has asked them and seems caring. Hence, give them some time and ensure to be for them at any time of day when they want to chat.

Set boundaries and expectations. 

Although you will want to be a fun and lenient parent, it is vital to have boundaries. Setting boundaries and expectations will ensure your child knows how to behave. Does that mean they will always act the way you want them to? No! But this can become a teachable moment.

With boundaries and expectations in place, your children will be less likely to make mistakes and leave you feeling frustrated. You can ensure they will help you when you ask for it and make it clear that they can have responsibility at home. Although household responsibilities will feel monotonous to them at first, it will give them accountability and help them feel more involved. 

father and son on the beach

Spend quality time with them.

A healthy and happy relationship with your children will also derive from how much time you spend together. If you only see each other in the evening over dinner, after you have all had long days, you might often have half-hearted chats and never get to discuss more than what has occurred that day. 

Making an effort to spend more quality time together will ensure you can share more together. You could go for long walks, bake together, or vacation. Doing something you both enjoy will allow you to switch off from the world, wind down, and enjoy each other's company. When you have more than one child, it can but difficult but doable. Scheduling time with your children will assist you in making them a priority.

Give them time out. 

We all know how great a time-out can feel. If we don’t have alone time, we might deplete our social battery and feel so drained that our conversations are not true to what we think. 

Therefore, allowing your child to have time out as much as you do is essential. Although you might find it disheartening that they do not want to spend the evening watching TV with you, they might need a mental reset to recharge. During this alone time, you can also enjoy time off.

Think about your behavior. 

Your behavior will contribute to how caring and understanding you come across to your child. If you behave in a way that comforts and reassures them, it will prove that you want to be there for them and contribute to their growth. 

Be conscious of how you behave around and to your children, as it will impact your relationship and prove your understanding of their feelings and desires. As the old saying goes, “actions speak louder than words.” Those little eyes are always watching.

Be more understanding of their feelings. 

Sometimes you might argue with your child because you don’t take a step back and put yourself in their shoes. They might have missed a homework task and, as a result, received detention. If you don’t hear them out or put yourself in their shoes (and realize they haven’t been feeling well or didn’t understand the task and nobody offered to help), you could end up falling out. 

Taking a moment to put yourself in their shoes and be more understanding of their situations and feelings will help you better communicate with them and recognize that everyone makes mistakes and learns throughout life.

Be flexible with your child.

Flexibility is a great trait to have as a parent that wants to be more understanding. If you are flexible, you will put less pressure on your children. Although setting expectations is good, you must understand that expectations cannot always be met. Life isn’t perfect and will not always go as planned. Recognizing this and ensuring you are flexible with your children can prevent arguments and ensure they feel less overwhelmed when they do not meet your expectations. 

It’s terrifying for your child to fear how you will react if they mess up. If they know you are often flexible and understanding, they will tell you about their successes and failures without worrying and doubting themselves. 

The more you show your willingness to be flexible, the more likely your child will come to you with their issues and questions. They will recognize you want what is best for them and will do anything to help them succeed and grow. At the end of the day, you will likely be your child’s biggest role model and advocate.

Therefore, if you are understanding, flexible, and lack perfectionism, it will rub off on your child. It will show them that you want to understand and support them. Being a parent is one of the most challenging jobs because we don’t always get it right, but being willing to learn and make changes is a step in the right direction.