How To Raise A Happy And Confident Child?

When it is about children's future, no parents want to compromise and do their best in their capacity. Every parent wants to raise their child with healthy habits desiring a successful future for them.

The Foundation of a happy and confident child start’s from its childhood. 

• What activities do they perform in childhood?
• Where they spend their free time?
• How they behave with others?
• Whether they have sharing habit?
• Do parents involve in activities with kids?

Likewise, there are so many basic things that build the foundation of a happy and confident child.

A happy child has a skill set that allows living life to its fullest. When a child receives appreciation and gratification for good deeds then they can pass it on to others also.

There is a book by Greg Hiebert- “You Can’t Give What You Don’t Have”.

This book is based on the personal incidences of Greg Hiebert. From a very young age, he hides his mental fears and didn’t get any psychological help for a long time.

This problem is common in every generation. Sometimes parents expect too much from their children and try to fulfill their dreams through children. Without knowing what children want from its life. What are their dreams and desires?

On the contrary, some parents don’t have any dreams and desires apart from routine life, so how they can raise a child with dreams and desires?

To raise a happy and confident child, parents need to work on their perspectives, habits, and attitude also. Family surroundings are the first school for any child. They learn, follow and believe things they see in their surroundings. Whether parents are aware or not, but a child has very sharp observation in childhood and they absorb everything from their surroundings, whether you are not much serious about that activity.

What activities parents should plan for a child?

1. Do not underestimate the power of playing.

Whether it is indoor games or outdoor games, each has its benefits on the mental and physical upbringing of a child. If we talk about indoor games like ludo, chess, monopoly, etc. These games build patience, decision-making ability, team spirit and build a healthy competitive attitude among kids.

Like so outdoor games like football, cricket, basketball have their benefits. These games construct physical strengthening, team playing, social interaction, etc.

Social interactions of kids enhance their confidence and they enjoy healthy relationships further.

2. Involve them in household chores.

Parents must involve them in household chores for the overall development of kids. It builds a sense of responsibility among the kids and it develops a cooperative and caring attitude among kids with some basic routine work. Another benefit of this activity is, it gives you more family time and children can understand the routine of their parents easily.

Nowadays, when both parents are working it is necessary children will learn some basic household chores to be independent.

3. The habit of Gratitude.

Having a habit of gratitude, thankfulness, or gratefulness in your everyday life forms a positive and healthy attitude among kids and parents too. Having a habit of saying “thank you”, “I am grateful” makes a big difference in the overall personality of a human. It makes them humble and kind towards others.

4. Have Reasonable Expectations.

Encouraging your kid for the best and having reasonable expectations keep them motivated towards their goal. There should be a healthy discussion at home about the interest, dreams, and desires of a kid. If they have an interest in sports or other activities try to motivate them to create a balance between studies and that activity rather than forcing them to focus on only one. Kids need mental sport from parents to open up easily with their desires. If parents give them space to open up for a healthy conversation on any topic, kids never get into the habit of hiding anything from their parents.

5. Self-discipline is a must.

The habit of self-discipline builds a strong foundation for kids to succeed in life for their goals. Whether it is studies, sports, recreational activities, or screen time. Children themselves have a habit of maintaining the balance between their activities. Every activity has its importance in the development of a child. The habit of self-discipline not only helps them to excel in academics but this habit will help them in their career also.

6. Expect Effort not Perfection.

There is an old saying- “Practice Makes Man Perfect”. Motivating your child for perfection is good but never try to force them for perfection. Overemphasizing achievement may ruin their interest in that activity. Try to teach them to be optimistic about every situation. Whether they win or lose, what they learn from that is more important. Try to build a learning attitude among kids, so they learn from every mistake and never repeat those mistakes in the future. It increases their confidence and inculcates a self-learning attitude.

7. Teach them Emotional Intelligence.

Emotional intelligence is the capability of a person to understand their emotions in different situations. It is an art of dealing with emotions that can be learned. Sometimes teenagers feel overwhelmed due to changes in hormones or difficult situations. Thinking kids will have this skill inborn is completely wrong.

It is normal for everyone to feel sad, anger, fear, sadness and disappointed. All these are normal emotions that we feel in life. try to cheer up your kid rather than being furious with them. Coach them to understand their emotions and the reason behind them. When they try to accept them as they are, gradually they will learn to handle their emotions too. 

“Friendship with oneself is all-important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.”― Eleanor Roosevelt

All the practices we have discussed till now are not only for kids but parents too. A kid is a reflection of the environment they live in. What they feel and see around them, they grasp that. If your child is showing any abnormal signs try to talk to them discover the reasons behind it.

The best thing parents can do for raising your child as happy and confident is accepting them as they are. Provide a loving and happy environment to them. Kids who feel appreciated and open to listen to by parents are more likely to thrive even in difficult situations.