10 Classic Parenting Tips That Stand the Test of Time

From the pregnancy to the child’s high-school graduation, mothers and fathers will be overwhelmed with parenting tips on how best to raise their little ones.

Such things as “Be honest with your kids” or “Restrict screen times” are common advice for parents nowadays. Those giving you their personal anecdotes and advice on how to treat your children mean well, but their advice can quickly become overwhelming.

Raising children can be difficult, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling. 

Having an arsenal of parenting tips to back your choices will help make the process that much more enjoyable. That’s why we’re looking at 10 classic parenting tips that have stood the test of time.

1. Set Boundaries for your Children

As a parent, it is your job to guide your children along their life course. You help train them to be responsible, loving adults. Part of good parenting is teaching your children about boundaries.

Children need boundaries and routines in their lives. Setting limits encourages children to practice self-discipline and critical thinking. It helps them to make healthy choices and teaches them important skills that will benefit other areas of their lives as they grow.

2. Spend Time Together as a Family

Just as date night is important for maintaining a healthy marriage, family time is important for keeping your parent-child relationship healthy and happy. Studies show that children benefit from spending time with their family. Eating meals together has even been proven to contribute to a child’s linguistic and cognitive development.

3. Limit Your Child’s Screen Time

Some parenting tips suggest that couples should limit the amount of time children spend on social media and entertainment screens such as video games, cell phones, and tablets. Research shows that children perform better mentally and academically when they have two hours or less of screen time each day.

4. Be a Friend

Many parents question whether or not they should cross the line from parent/disciplinarian to friend. They may worry that if their child views them as a friend or “the cool parent” that they will take advantage of their kindness.

A 2012 study on parent-child relationships reveals that children who felt close to their parents had better mental health than those who had negative parent-child relationships. They also had a lower risk of developing a mental disorder, such as anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, or depression, as an adult.

5. Set a Good Example

Have you ever heard the phrase “monkey-see, monkey-do”? This age-old saying implies that the people you associate with are the ones you imitate. Your children will learn their attitude and behavior from observing you, which means that your example as a parent is going to have a large impact on who your child grows up to be. One of the biggest parenting tips you can follow is to set a good example.

You can set a good example by treating those around you with respect. Be a good friend to others, especially your spouse. Show love, kindness, and do not speak badly of those who you love. You can also set a good example by taking your responsibilities seriously.

6. Follow Through with Discipline

It isn’t fun to have to dish out discipline to your child. In fact, it’s just the opposite. As a parent, the last thing you want to do is hurt your child’s feelings by punishing them. However, children thrive when there are consequences for their actions.

It’s important to remember that discipline should be balanced. The Paediatrics Child Health Journal states that positive and effective discipline must revolve around guiding and teaching children, not forcing them to obey.

Effective discipline must also be consistent, fair, and studies show it is also essential for the disciplinarian to have a strong bond with the child.

7. Let Your Child Have a Say

Good parenting tips suggest that your child will benefit when they feel heard and acknowledged by you. Your child is not the head of the household like you are, but they do have thoughts, feelings, and concerns that are valid. Listen to your child and allow them to have a say in their life and future.

Of course, this advice should take the child’s age into consideration. The desires of a four-year-old will be very different from those of your seventeen-year-old. It is up to you as the guardian of your child to decide how to proceed with your child’s feelings.

8. Open the Lines of Communication

Communication is the cornerstone of a healthy parent-child relationship. 

It’s what helps you get to know your child better and understand how they are learning and developing. 

It is also good for your child’s health, as children are less likely to suffer from anxiety and depression when they have a healthy relationship with their married parents.

You can encourage conversation by asking your child open-ended questions about their day, their friends, and their hobbies.

9. Do Not Judge

Along with keeping the lines of communication open, it’s also important to be mindful and non-judgmental when talking with your children. Doing so will help them feel comfortable coming to you with problems in the future.

10. Learn to Let it Go

One of the greatest parenting tips you could ever follow is to learn to let it go. You are not perfect and neither are your children. So why not work on letting certain things go?

It’s important to teach your children the importance of rules and boundaries, but don’t drag out an issue so that it becomes a source of discomfort in your household.

For example, do you need to punish your children for days or “freeze them out” (stop speaking to them) because they forgot to empty the dishwasher? Definitely not.

Learn to let the little things go. Doing so will lower your stress levels and create peace in the household.

Don’t let parenting tips overwhelm you. 

Instead of listening to everyone and their mother’s advice on how to raise your children – stick to the basics. Keep the lines of communication open with your children, practice patience, and don’t expect perfection.

Author Bio:
Sylvia Smith is a writer who likes to write about relationships and how couples can revitalize their love lives in and out of the bedroom. She is currently associated with Marriage.com. She is a big believer in living consciously and encourages couples to adopt its principles in their relationships. By taking purposeful and intentional action,  Sylvia feels any relationship or marriage can be transformed and truly enjoyed.