We don’t raise children to prepare them for childhood – we prepare them for adulthood. We take certain actions to raise our children, and based on this, children understand what behavior is normal. They consolidate their habits and behavioral patterns that remain with them into adulthood.
It is clear that we want only the best for our children. We want them to live a happy life, to be able to overcome all the difficulties of adulthood, or simply to do better in school. More often than not, we just want them to succeed in life and look for advice that could help them do so.
But the best way we can help our children is to lead by example, not by telling them. With the help of certain actions that you will take in the presence of your child, you can raise them to be successful and well adjusted to adult life. Let your children see you and follow your example.
- Overcome difficulties
Many parents try not to show their children that they are facing difficulties in order not to appear weak in their eyes. But it is much more important to show your child how you overcome difficulties. Let your children see how you don’t give up, how hard you work to solve a problem, how you ask for help, etc. - Cry.
Parents are very embarrassed when they have to cry in front of their children. But if you do it, you will show your child that it helps to get rid of feelings of sadness. The child will realize that there is no need to hide the feelings that weigh him down. - Kiss your husband.
This may be embarrassing for the child, but it will also be beneficial for him. It is especially important to show affection to your husband during periods when you are very busy at work. Even a brief kiss on the cheek before leaving the house shows that affection and family relationships are more than the conveniences that cohabitation brings. - Be physically active
Show your child how important a healthy lifestyle and physical activity are. You can even adjust your schedule to go jogging or working out with your child. You don’t have to tell your child that they need to play sports to be strong and healthy. Just show him or her that a healthy lifestyle is something natural and self-evident. - Pay attention to what is happening around you
A child should not think that everyone and the whole world revolves around him or her, and you should set an example for him or her. Do volunteer work and do good deeds. - Spend money wisely
It’s good if your family’s well-being allows you not to worry about current expenses. However, it will be useful to involve your child in discussing purchases. The sooner you do this, the sooner your child will realize how much things cost and learn to be frugal. - Learn new things
Certain parental behaviors (e.g., overcoming difficulties or showing difficult feelings) may seem illogical to the child and create tension. It may also seem illogical to a child to have to learn something new throughout his or her life. - Be kind to yourself
Studies show that children whose self-esteem is based on the approval of others are more likely to develop psychological problems. Conversely, children whose self-esteem is linked to internal values do better at school, use alcohol or drugs less often, and suffer from eating disorders less often. - Analyze your behavior and feelings
The tendency to reflect can be a manifestation of spirituality or simply self-analysis. Either way, it is worth devoting time to it. It is commonly believed that introspection is the opposite of determination and real action. Someone might say that excessive thinking will prevent a child from succeeding in adulthood. However, this is not true. Reflection helps them to understand their human nature more deeply. - Be creative
People can lose interest in their work for many reasons, but most often it happens when they are deprived of the opportunity to express their creativity and work becomes a routine.