West Ridge Academy says that most parents would tell you that their lives have changed since the day that they had their first child. Children are often being credited to inspire life-altering changes and improvements on their parents. Because of the huge responsibilities that come with being a parent, it's only understandable that we see drastic changes in the parents in their effort to cope up with their duties and responsibilities.
From the moment that they are brought into this world as infants; then becoming toddlers until early childhood, children are very dependent upon their parents in terms of love, care, nourishment, and guidance. During this period, kids normally don't question their parents' decisions when it comes to disciplining them and will follow them readily; assuming they are raised in a normal loving household that is.
There will always be kids with head strong personalities even at an early age however, that they will refuse to follow their parents' directions when it comes to disciplining them.
According to West Ridge Academy, these are the times when the parents need to stand their ground and be firm without losing their patience. Provided below are some key points for parents to remember if ever they get caught up in such situations.
1. You need to establish clear boundaries. In an effort to prove that they are already mature enough to make decisions for themselves, children especially teenagers, have this tendency to make decisions on their own even if it means going against your wishes. As the parent, you need to stand your ground and be adamant about having your way in this case however because you definitely know better than them because you already went through these situations in the past. Even though it's important for children to find their voices, they should wait for the right time when you are ready to concede that they already have what it takes to make decisions on their own. Until then, they will always remain as your kids so to speak and your decision as their parent should be followed; not for anything else but for your own children’s sake.
2. You should show consistency. After setting the boundaries, you must make it a point that they are implemented consistently for all concerned. Children tend to be confused whether they are already breaking the rules or not if you are not being consistent in handing out punishments. If you have many children, it’s also critical that the same rules and punishments apply equally to all the children without playing any favorites. Frankly speaking, you are the one to blame if ever your child will have a difficulty in following the rules because you have been inconsistent in implementing them in the first place.
3. It's important that you should be clear. As it is with most of our other pursuits in life, communication plays a vital role to our success in whatever field. This also applies to parenting. Don't let the boundaries and rules that you worked so hard to implement for the benefit of your children, just be wasted because you have failed to communicate them effectively.
