Having kids is one of the greatest things in life. However, as they get older, you need to prepare yourself as things are going to change. They aren’t always going to be these little tiny things that need your constant care and protection. There will come a day when you are going to have to let them go. Knowing that you have prepared them for life as an adult will make it a tad easier. These top three tough parenting moments are ones that will prepare them for such a time.
3 Incredibly Tough Parenting Moments to Prepare for Early On
In this article, we cover three significant aspects that all children go through as they grow up. Knowing this information early on is going to make everything easier on you as they age. If you want to know more, keep reading down below.
The Mood Swings
Something that you probably already know about if your child has passed the age of two or three is the mood swings! They are not called the terrible twos (or threenangers) for anything. Unfortunately, these early mood swings won’t be the last you see.
Teenagers are notorious for mood swings. With all the hormones, school, social situations, and now social media, it’s no wonder they have mood swings! Being understanding of this early on will help you continue to build your relationship with your child.
Emotional regulation can be hard for any child to learn, especially for children with autism and other special needs. During these moments, it’s not unheard of for them to say something hurtful. Remember not to take this to heart. They are trying to let their feelings out, and typically don’t mean to be hurtful.
In these situations, you need to be calm. Yelling back will only amplify the situation. Instead, work with them before they get upset, on appropriate ways to express their emotions.
If it makes it to the point that they are yelling, this is not the time to discuss anything. No progress can be made when someone is in an extreme emotional state. Instead, wait until they are calm (sometimes the next day) to talk about it.
Always Knowing Better
Something else your children will do at some point thinks they know better. You know that they don’t, but you’ve got to take the time to try and explain your view to them.
Often, children forget that their parents were young once. So, it doesn’t resonate with them that you know what you’re talking about. Even though this is the case, you can’t shout at them to get your point across. The more aggressive you come across, the less they are going to listen to you.
Instead, it would be best if you had a conversation with them. Listen to your child’s side, try and understand what they are thinking, what their reasons are, and then explain your side.
When your child understands you care about what they think, it will change their perspective. They will be more willing to talk to you and more willing to listen.
Making Their Own Choices
As they get older, your children are going to have to make their own choices. They are going to make their own mistakes as well. As a parent, you have got to give them the freedom to try and fail. This is the only way they will truly learn.
It is going to be hard because, as a parent, you want to do is protect them from getting hurt. They need to make their own choices and learn the hard way sometimes. From these experiences, they will learn the life lessons required for adulthood.
As your children enter into adulthood, they will often make mistakes you don’t want them to make. For example, they may want to smoke, vape, or drink alcohol. If your child is out on their own, it is their decision to make and is out of your control. However, by building those communication skills early on, you will be able to continue to advise them into adulthood.
Tough Parenting Moments
Make sure to be there to listen to your children. Sometimes, listening goes so much further than you think. Having your child talk out the situation allows them to realize things for themselves. These include how the circumstances are playing out, what might be wrong, and how to change for the better. There is nothing more exciting than seeing your child grow!