Take time to talk and connect with children
This is the foundation for parents to successfully raise and communicate with their children. Parents should spend more time playing with their children, talking to them, and caring about their interests or issues. More importantly, parents should listen to what their children have to say. When parents truly understand their children, they will discover the unique personality traits of their own child. At the same time, the child will also learn to listen, care, and understand others from their parents.
When parents and children are close to each other, speaking words of love to each other, children will easily absorb the teachings of their parents. Children listen not only from what they hear but from the love they feel from their parents. This will help children change from within and be much more effective.
Focus on the behavior of the child
Instead of just praising or scolding children as a whole, parents should spend more time focusing on specific behaviors of the child. This will have a greater impact on the child. For example, after playing, if the child knows how to tidy up their toys, instead of just praising them as “well-behaved,” parents can say “After playing, you did a great job tidying up your toys, I praise that action of yours.” Or for example, when the child refuses to eat, instead of just saying “you’re being naughty,” say “I don’t like it when you’re being lazy about eating, that’s not a good behavior.” Being specific and clear like this helps children easily recognize their mistakes or actions that were praised so they can make improvements/develop them.
Don’t try to force children to do something
Young children also have thoughts, needs, and their own preferences, so parents should not try to force them to do things they don’t want to do. Otherwise, children tend to become rebellious and refuse to listen. Instead of forcing the child to do this or that, parents should sit down, look into their eyes, and gently ask them the reason why they don’t want to do it. When the child feels respected, they will share their thoughts with their parents. Then adults can consider the child’s thoughts and analyze for the child to understand the right/wrong of the action.
Avoid “bribing” children
Children will quickly learn how to act cute to make demands from their parents. Later on, no matter what the child does, it will always demand benefits. Therefore, it is necessary to stop indulging the child like that in order for the child to be more obedient.