Parenting is a broad topic, in the same way that it is a complex role weighted with a load of responsibilities. And with its complexity, at some point, parents tend to get confused on how to correctly act or perform certain responsibilities to their children which impact the parent-child relationship. More than just providing your children with basic material things like clothes, shelter and education, there are intangible things that would contribute in shaping their characteristics as good citizens of the society.

Acceptance

Most babies are born normal but some come out with defects — a missing limb, Down Syndrome or a cleft palate. Seeing a child without a left limb or with a protruding heart could be a devastating and life-changing event for parents. They would likely feel ill-equipped to care for such a child, and become anxious and confused on how to manage emotionally, financially and logistically.

There are also children who are born achievers, as some people say, but there are some who could hardly cope from one lesson to another. Some kids take center stage to sing, dance or act but some are content just applauding in the audience.

Parents should accept their child for what and who he is. Whether the child was born with a cleft palate or with angelic features,is a champion orator or just an average student in school, parents must be the very first people to embrace every feature and characteristic their child possess.

Understanding

Toddlers could sometimes become stubborn, saying ‘no’ to a lot of requests or commands you make. School-aged children would prefer playing online games or go out and play basketball instead of studying lessons for a grading exam. Teenagers often go out with friends and love to eat junk food. And there are kids who, when they get to college, decide to take off campus housing options rather than staying home.

Parents should understand that children grow up, and that they develop a certain independence which leads them to think and feel that they are old enough to decide for themselves. Do an assessment on how your children act and react. Let them talk, listen to them and acknowledge their decisions just as long as these would be beneficial for them. At the same time, make them understand that they should be held accountable for the possible consequences of their actions and the decisions they made.

Support

The term is often deemed as material, like money and tangible possessions. Parents send their children to the best school, buy them nice clothes and reward them with expensive gifts especially during special events. However, more than these materials things that parents use as tools to support their children, are words and deeds that don’t come in big boxes. A daily praise of even the little things your children achieve — like a better score in math today than last week’s quiz or simply attending the family day in school — are a few of the many ways to show your support to your children.

But when children are troubled and tears roll down their face, a parent’s reassuring words, warm embrace and shoulder to cry on are the strongest support that children could ever get to help them through any battle they would face in life.