What I've Learned About Raising Children

Have you ever wondered how to raise boys or girls? Although some say that raising different genders may require a different kind of approach, experts in parenting believe that they are relatively the same. Children are children, and they all need to feel loved. 

Do you consider yourself a parenting expert? Being a father or mother is a rewarding experience as it is. You won't be perfect like those in the movies or television programs, but you will always be the ideal parent for your children. 

Whether you decide to take on a conventional role or the more modern approach in parenting, the choice is all yours. After all, no other parent can be better for your child than you.

How To Raise Children

Even in our progressive society, statistics show that mothers still usually on much of the work of parenting. Wives and mothers should be given credit not only for taking care of the kids but for raising them to be the best that they can be. 

But how do the best parents raise the best children? Whether you are parenting boys or girls, here are some of the best tips on how to raise children.

Love them with all of you. 

Apart from taking care of their basic needs, your main job is to love your children with all your heart, mind, and soul. 

Don't be a hovering parent. 

Allow them to make mistakes so that they can learn from them. Remember that children are not perfect. 

Harsh discipline is more harmful. 

Be compassionate. Your children are not perfect, but they are learning. Allow them to make mistakes. After all, it is their opportunity to grow. 

Reading to them makes them readers. 

When you read stories to your kids, you are not only raising readers, but you are instilling in them the value of resilience.

Let them be. 

Every child has a learning process. When you allow them to learn, they will. 

The Truth About Parenting

Having kids will change your life forever. The most exciting (and terrifying) part of the journey is that it does not come with an instruction manual. Although there are a lot of books and articles available online that can give you different tips and other parenting ideas, there is nothing that could ever prepare you for what's to come. 

Each baby is different. The experience from the pregnancy to giving birth is totally unique and special. You have to be prepared for them to grow up differently. Their uniqueness will manifest even more as they mature.

As a parent, you have to be more open to the fact that you will be dealing with different personalities. Each child will have its own character.

The more exciting part about parenting is this: You discover more about yourself as you discover more about your children.

What are the truths about parenting that you will discover in the process? Here are fun facts about parenting that you will eventually, hopefully, enjoy.

Your children are not yours. 

Although it may seem as you will be the one to take care of them and love them forever, your children are not yours. Eventually, when they grow up, they will become their own person. When this happens, remember to still be the loving parent that you are. 

Cheer them on as they try to fulfill their dreams. Be there for them when they need someone to talk to. Support them in their endeavors. More importantly, be the comfort that they will need in this cruel world. 

Your children may become their own person, but they will always need your genuine love. 

Every child is different.

Some may say your eldest child takes after you. Others will take note that your second child is growing up much like your spouse. All of these notions about children are perfectly understandable. But there is one truth about children that you need to understand. 

Each child is unique on their own. Their abilities, talents, and personalities are all their own making. It may seem like they are taking after you, but they are not. They may be mimicking your actions as they try to find themselves as they grow up. 

Allow them to. Assist them if they need help. But make sure to be all accepting of who they will become. Each child is different and unique. Every child is special. 

You will always be the best teacher for them. 

You probably do not have a degree in teaching or any experience for that matter. But your children need you to be their best teacher. This is not about knowing everything in life. Rather, it is about preparing your children for the world and what their responsibilities are as a caring and kind human being. 

If you can, choose a community of people where your children can grow in mind and in heart. They don't need to have all straight A's. Instead, they need to learn proper manners and ethical conduct. 

Instill in them the values that you want them to grow up with. Teach them to be kind. Teach them to practice patience. Teach them never to be afraid to be themselves. 

You will do everything for them. 

When you become a parent, you will realize that there is nothing that you will not do for your children, no matter how seemingly impossible it may be. Even though you will sometimes tell them that what they are asking for is impossible, you will realize for yourself that you can actually do it. Deep inside, you know that you have the time, energy, and resources to do it. 

You will be able to make sacrifices for them that you never thought you could. You will always put their needs before yours, and you're totally okay with that. In fact, if you could, you would offer your life for them.

Every parent wants to be the best parent they can be for their child. No matter how prepared you think you are for the challenges of parenting, there will still be times when you wish you could have done better. 

Remember, the goal of parenting is not to produce the best child there is. Every child is different. They succeed in their own way. Every parent should instead focus on one thing -- how they can raise children with the heart for others.