Many families have adopted modern educational approaches, such as encouraging their children to participate in extracurricular activities, fostering critical and creative thinking, and spending quality time listening to and understanding their kids. This helps build a close and trusting relationship, making children feel loved, secure, and more confident as they navigate life.
From a psychological perspective, here are six signs indicating that parents are on the right track with their parenting methods and are raising well-behaved children:
Children feel comfortable expressing their true emotions to their parents
Everyone experiences emotions, and children are no exception. Parents should be the safest and warmest “harbor” for their kids. When a child feels comfortable expressing their true emotions, especially anger, sadness, or fear, it indicates a high level of trust in their parents.
This shows a close bond between parent and child, with the child feeling secure and comfortable enough to share their authentic feelings without fear of judgment or restriction.
Children feel free to express their emotions to their parents.
By encouraging children to share their emotions, parents gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and needs. This enables parents to provide appropriate guidance and support, helping children navigate through negative emotions and promoting healthy development.
On the other hand, if a child hides their emotions or only expresses certain types of feelings, it suggests a distance between parent and child. This could be due to a lack of trust, fear of negative reactions, or a sense of being misunderstood or unacceptable. Therefore, parents should create a safe and supportive environment for their children to express themselves and be ready to listen and empathize.
Children turn to their parents early on for help
Many children hesitate to share their problems due to fears of being scolded, mocked, or ignored. In such cases, they often feel anxious and isolated.
Parents need to be aware that when children are reluctant to express their emotions or thoughts, it signifies a decrease in trust and an increasing distance between parent and child. This can have serious consequences on a child’s development, leading to negative impacts such as depression, anxiety, or even deviant behavior.
As a result, when children make mistakes, they may choose to remain silent or lie to avoid negative repercussions. This is an instinctive self-defense mechanism.
However, when children proactively seek their parents’ help, it indicates a strong sense of trust and security. This presents a golden opportunity for parents to listen, understand, and provide appropriate guidance. When children experience empathy, compassion, and genuine assistance, they will become more open and trusting.
Children turn to their parents early on for help.
Children are willing to share their thoughts with their parents
When children are open about their thoughts, even their imaginations, it signifies a close and trusting relationship with their parents. This is a positive sign, indicating that children feel safe and secure enough to share their inner world. It presents an opportunity for parents and children to deepen their understanding and bond.
However, some parents may be too strict and immediately interrupt or lecture their children when they make a mistake. This can lead to children becoming more distant and less willing to express their true thoughts.
Therefore, parents should take the time to listen, understand, and empathize with the challenges their children are facing. Create a safe space for children to express themselves freely, without feeling the need to maintain a “well-behaved” facade.
Children are able to discover and develop their talents
Forcing children to pursue fields they are not interested in can create tension and hinder their learning process. Not every child needs to become a scientist, engineer, artist, doctor, or teacher. Parents should not impose their own ideas or expectations on their children.
Instead, children’s talents should be discovered through exploration and experimentation. During their formative years, parents can focus on creating an environment that encourages children to explore their interests and develop their unique abilities. This may include music, art, sports, or science, among other areas.
Children are able to discover and develop their talents.
Children follow reasonable rules set by their parents without resistance
Responsible parents guide their children’s behavior by establishing appropriate rules and expectations. These rules may include daily routines, such as mealtimes, bedtimes, and homework schedules, as well as guidelines for personal hygiene, social etiquette, and screen time limitations.
When children follow these rules without constant resistance, it indicates a positive dynamic of trust and respect between parent and child. It suggests that parents have successfully established a healthy relationship based on effective communication, understanding, and mutual respect.
Both parents and children take responsibility and apologize when they make mistakes
When issues arise in the parent-child relationship, it is important for both parties to apologize and take responsibility. Sometimes, parents may also make mistakes, such as reacting emotionally or losing their temper with their children.
In such cases, parents should acknowledge their mistakes, make amends, and sincerely apologize to their children, explaining why they reacted the way they did, rather than shifting blame onto their kids.
Similarly, when children take responsibility and proactively apologize for their mistakes, it demonstrates that parents have instilled a sense of accountability and courage in their children. Through these actions, parents and children can build a relationship founded on mutual trust and respect.
Both parents and children take responsibility and apologize when they make mistakes.