While we all want to be the best parents for our children, there are often conflicting opinions on how to raise confident, kind, and successful kids. Every aspect of parenting has become more difficult and more stressful since the pandemic. Parents have to manage complex new tasks and make anxious decisions while also dealing with daily questions about their children. It’s crucial to keep your priorities straight and balance responsibilities. You must also be able to quickly switch between the needs of your family, your children and yourself. Modern parents can access the whole internet and don’t have to follow one authority. It can be difficult to decide who or what to trust. We’ll discuss how to help your child become a person you love without losing ourselves.
Your Parenting Style
- The good news is that there are many ways to raise children.
Research shows that it is better to be authoritative than to be dictatorial to help your child become self-reliant and self-confident. Your child should listen to, respect, and trust you more than fear. You want to support your child but not be a hovering helicopter parent.
These things are simple to set as goals but difficult to reach. How can you strike the right balance?
Your child will grow and face new challenges. Your thinking and approach may change. Your child will learn from your mistakes and be able to make an effort. You should set realistic expectations for what your child can do independently. This applies to infants learning to sleep through the night, toddlers helping with toys, and older children resolving conflict.
Learn the Basics
- Children will benefit from a healthy attitude towards sleep, food, and discipline.
How to Put a Baby to Sleep
Babies are very different in how they sleep from birth. Parents also have different ways of coping with disturbed nights.
There are two main schools of thought about babies and sleep. After the first few months, when they require nighttime feedings, soothe the baby to sleep. Many parents find themselves unsure and hesitant. Many sleep experts and those who believe in sleep training would agree that babies can learn how to fall asleep on their own and to soothe themselves to sleep during the night. Parents are helping them to develop important skills for independence and comfort.
There are two ways to do this:
- Gradual extinction is when babies are allowed to cry for short periods of time over several nights.
- Bedtime fading: Parents delay bedtime by delaying it for 15 minutes so that the child is more tired.
Many parents also report that these strategies help improve their sleep patterns and their own. Parents may not like the idea of letting their baby cry at night.
No matter how hard you try, not all babies are good at sleeping. Parents should be aware of the effects sleep deprivation can have on their children, their functioning and their relationships. They also need to take care of their own sleep needs. Ask for help from your doctor or a trusted family member when you are in need.