Ever wondered how to become a better parent?
I didn’t.
I thought I knew everything and I thought I was raised in the best way possible.
Not once did I think that there was a better way and not once did I listen to anyone else.
Stupid me.
After making the 4 humans I am responsible for today, I have learned more than I ever could imagine and I would like to share the wealth.
Parenting is no easy task, especially in the crazy world we live in.
The media has its ways of showing us how to be but it will do nothing but program you like the zombies that we have become.
We don’t want that to happen now, do we?
You, zombies, will disagree but if you are willing to learn, you can see how becoming a better parent is a lot easier than you think.
So How do You Become a Better Parent?
You work at it.
Work at it slowly and in a way that is fitting for YOU.
We are all different and there’s nothing we can do about that.
What works for one might not work for another but I beg to differ when it comes to this thing called parenting.
With that idea in mind, I want to show you exactly how YOU can become a better parent with the least effort possible.
It is not going to happen overnight and not one of these tips can work on its own.
They all work together and will help you in the parenting department if that’s what you want.
Now let me show you exactly how you can become a better parent before you go thinking that your way is the only way possible.
1. Show Love
This is the biggest problem that we face these days, especially with the world we live in.
Gone are the days of being tough and trying to act hard.
In are the days of combating the craziness that comes with the society we have built.
I was brought up in the 90’s so I know all about the hard life and trying to fit in.
Thankfully so, things have changed.
What’s great about this change is that love is something we can actually show without worrying about what others think.
I know this because I show my kids and it helps with becoming a better parent.
Now don’t think that saying “I love you” is all you need.
In fact, that is something that doesn’t even need to be said.
Love is something that needs to be shown.
Not in the form of gifts but in the form of actual interaction.
Take your kid and actually play with them.
Put that cellphone down and talk to your child as if they were one of your friends on social media.
IG can wait so put your phone away and give them your undivided attention.
That’s how you show love and the first step to becoming a better parent.
2. Be Patient
Patience is not something you are born with.
Just like everything else on this list.
Patience is learned and it is not going to happen overnight either.
But if you add some love to the mix, patience will come a lot easier.
Kids are kids and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.
You were a kid and probably gave your parents more grey hair than you think.
You know how kids are and you know what to expect.
So don’t expect anything different or you will only be setting yourself up for failure.
When your kid decides to act up, let them be.
Your anger is only going to make them worse.
Why?
Well, because they are vying for your attention.
Good or bad, they want you to notice them.
Now if you simply love them and accept that they are kids, life will be that much easier.
3. Set the Example
Kids are sponges.
You’ve heard that and you’ve probably used that line before.
What most parents don’t know is that these little sponges are only doing/saying what is presented before them.
Show them anger and guess what?
You’ll have a bratty kid.
Show them love, affection, and REAL attention and you will see that they will respond to your so-called discipline a lot better.
Most parents these days are so caught up with social media that their phones take precedence.
Yet they post “I love my kids to death” type of nonsense and try to make things seem that everything is about them when it’s really not.
If you are going to be about your kids then BE with them and not the rest of the world.
Your actions definitely speak louder than words or IG posts, so act accordingly.
Be angry and your kids will do the same.
Be kind and loving, they will show that too.
Now go and hang out on IG all day and keep up with the Kardashians and you can bet that they will do that too.
4. Get Involved
We are all busy and it’s nothing new to you, me, and every soon-to-be parent.
Life happens and there’s not much we can do about it.
Or is there?
I know there is a way but let’s save that for another post.
Getting involved with your kids does not mean showing up to school programs and performances.
Getting involved involves you and them.
If you are going to clean your house, of course, you need to show them the example.
Don’t go around delegating things like your kids are your employees.
Show them how to clean and do it with them without trying to show them who’s boss.
There’s a time to show them authority and they will and should understand that you are in charge.
5. Understand That They Are Kids
You were a kid, your parents were kids, and our kids are kids.
There’s absolutely nothing we can do about that besides understand and deal with it.
What most parents expect is exactly the opposite of that.
This tip very much goes hand in hand with #2, so allow them to work together.
Don’t expect them to know what to do but most especially, don’t expect them to be anything like you.
They are not going to want to clean their room, they aren’t going to want to brush their teeth, and they aren’t going to want to do anything but play.
And that’s completely fine.
Keep your anger under control, treat them like the kid they are, and everything will be a-o-kay.
6. Humble Yourself Down
Pride is a very dangerous thing.
It is no different when it comes to raising children.
For one, you need to set the best example, and being prideful is not going to help in any aspect of life.
Take pride in your car or your favorite recipe but that’s about it.
Do not let your pride follow you in the parenting department.
Your kids are not perfect and their parents aren’t either.
In case you didn’t notice, kids are becoming more and more disrespectful and yes, it is in the bible.
What we don’t know though is that we are responsible for the way our kids are acting.
Showing them the example of showing off is a great way for that to happen.
Doing things for the sake of trying to 1-up your neighbor.
Getting things simply because someone else has it.
Rather than following “the norm” and its many trends and phases, try to do things for the sake of you and your family.
It’s no easy task but once learned, life is a million times better.
7. Teach Yourself to Learn
We were designed to learn, learn, and learn some more.
I don’t care how old we get in this short life of ours, there is way too much stuff that we need to learn.
As much as you want to teach, you also need to be willing to learn.
In this thing called life, learning is a must and is an ongoing, never-ending kind of deal.
And if you can’t expect that, please don’t expect to be a better parent because it is not going to happen.
Becoming a parent sometimes has you feeling like you know everything.
Then again, some of us are just a Mr/Misses know it all.
Raising kids does not require such a thing and you need to understand that you do not know everything.
Heck, if you can enjoy learning, you might just learn some cool parenting tips that you probably never even knew.
Just like this blog for example.
I can tell you this and that about a specific topic like parenting but that’s about all I can do.
I might leave out some valuable info and you guys might know some cooler tricks but there is no way you can know everything as a parent.
If anything, we probably forget things more when we have kids.
8. Exclude Yourself From the World
The world is a dangerous place.
I’m not too sure if you’ve heard that before but it has been said and it can not be any further from the truth.
The way you need to look at the world is as if it were one big business.
Because it really is.
Everything you do is tied to someone’s interest in making money.
From the diapers you choose to the type of education you feel your kid needs, there is a business on the other end waiting to deduct from your bank account.
All this leads to less money in your pocket, debt, and lots and lots of stress.
That then trickles down to your kids and then they have to deal with you.
This does not lead to better parenting or becoming better in any part of your life.
So the next time you feel that you NEED something, think about this post.
In most cases, you do not need those overpriced diapers and you do not need 90% of the stuff you usually buy.
The next time you go shopping, think about who you are really buying for because it is very likely that you are buying things just to impress others.
9. Work on Yourself
Everyone is quick to call you out on your faults.
The problem with that is that we all have our fair share of issues that we dare not share.
So what do we do?
We try to work on others so that we feel good about ourselves.
That’s the wrong answer.
Doing that not only drowns you in the world’s problems but it doesn’t make you a better person.
Look in the mirror and look around you before trying to fix someone else.
We all have a ton of things that can be improved on and most of the time will never get fixed thanks to our focus on others instead of ourselves.
10. Work Around Your Job
We all have to work and that is completely fine.
However, these jobs of ours usually take over our lives and then we have more problems.
Remember tip #5?
Kids will be kids and there is one major thing to understand there.
The fact that they will not be kids forever.
We need to provide but do so in a way that you are getting involved with your family.
Days off does not mean it’s time to go out with the guys and get drunk.
Your kids have school and you have work, so use the little free time you have to spend it with them.
Quit making excuses as to why you can’t do anything with them and give them the time they deserve.
Make that simple change and you will see how much of a better parent you will become.
Or at least your kids will show it.
11. Study the Bible
I saved the best for last.
Some of you might laugh at this but it’s something that will point you in the right direction.
Religious or not, this is something that will absolutely help you become a better parent.
Notice how I said “study” though.
I didn’t say read because that won’t do much for you.
I say study because you need to understand it in the way that it is written.
Plain and simple.
None of this interpretation stuff that others preach because that is not necessary.
The Bible is simple and tells you EXACTLY how things are and what you should do.
Don’t believe me, try it yourself by doing a simple Google search on “free bible study”.
I’m sure you will find someone who is willing to help you.
Only then, will you see how becoming a better parent really starts with this book of life, we know as the Bible.
There are books on what to expect and all that, but none will help you more than the book of life.
The Bible.
What if Your Kid is a Brat?
When I think of a brat kid, I think of the dude that poured milk on a kid’s head.
But most especially, I think about the parents who raised that kid.
The lack of the majority of the things on this list will be a huge factor as to why your kid acts up.
Don’t follow the whole “the way you treated your parents is exactly how your kid will be (x10)”.
I do believe that if you apply some of the stuff on this list that your child will ease up a bit.
Now the most important thing you need to understand is tip #5.
They are kids.
They will most likely outgrow their bratty-ness unless you allow the behavior to continue.
Focus your attention on your child and things will be a whole lot easier.
Conclusion – Become a Better Parent
If you are serious about becoming a better parent, these tips should help you accomplish that goal.
None of us are perfect and perfection is the last thing we should chase.
Continue to learn and share the knowledge with others, especially the children that you brought into this world.
Work on things one day at a time and you will see how much can improve in such a short period of time.
Forget about social media and forget about Candy Crush for a bit and turn to your kids for a brief moment.
Nod your head and make it a goal to actually implement some of the stuff in this post.
Grab them, tell them you love them, but most especially, show them by simply doing it.
Take some time to see the beauty around us and leave stress out of the equation.
I hope this post has helped you understand how to become a better parent although we are always evolving and changing.
I know you know a good trick or two, so please do share them in the comments section below.
Thanks for reading and happy parenting!