Parenting is the most fulfilling job, that we will ever have, and also a never-ending job. It is not something we can get away from once the time comes, because children need their parents from time to time, to stay on the right track. Parenting and child development go hand-in-hand. The proverbs says that the apple does not fall far from the tree and that the branch grows as the twig grows can well-describe the effects of parenting styles on child growth and development. It is important for the parents to get involved in their child’s development and have good relationship with their child.
The parent-child relationship is one that nurtures the physical, emotional and social development of the child. It is a unique bond that every child and parent will can enjoy and nurture. This relationship lays the foundation for the child’s personality, life choices and overall behaviors. It can also affect the strength of their social, physical, mental and emotional health. Therefore, the role of parents during a child’s earliest years is the single biggest influence in shaping the child’s personality.
The way parents involve themselves with children closely influences their development. Modern family life can be stressful and it’s not always easy with various pressures on families. It is often seen that many parents go to the extremes either by being extra loving or by being a hard disciplinarian. Either way, it is the child that suffers and may lose her/his self esteem. Loss of self esteem leads to lack of confidence and in the future, they might not be able to handle life’s challenges successfully. Your parenting will be successful only when your child learns to face even the hardest of life’s challenges with calm and poise. It becomes a parent’s responsibility as well to give their child an environment that helps them grow into a mature, independent and confident person. And once a problem is solved, they must learn to move on. A strong parent-child relationship can help lead to better outcomes for children.
written by Yenti Handala,
Center Director of Tutor Time Pluit