In a world full of parenting advice, you might get caught up in extremes and miss out on the importance of attaining balance and flexibility.
Parents are typically advised to be consistent with their parenting techniques to help their children know what they should expect. Perhaps, predictability is much needed, but it might promote a sense of control and rigidity. On the other hand, flexibility opens up new possibilities, helping children to view situations from different points of view. Here are some flexible parenting strategies for you to follow.
Be consistent but not always
Children feel a sense of peace when they know what to expect from their parents. However, there will be times when your child will expect you to be flexible. It is good to follow a strict bedtime routine, but if your child had a bad day or requires a little extra attention, breaking the routine to add more snuggle time will only benefit your child.
Show lots of affection and love
You love your kids without a doubt, but how often do you show them, and how? Shower them with hugs and kisses more often. Remember, embracing your little ones will make them feel loved and safe—so will kissing their cheek, holding their hand, and stroking their hair. Another way to display affection is to spend time together.
Accept your child’s failure
Some children do not grow up to become problem-solvers because their parents tend to always rescue them from situations where they could struggle or fail. Unfortunately, these children continue to fail, as they lack adequate skills to succeed.
Regulate their actions
There are many things that parents can overlook, ignore or minimize. It is essential for children to be aware of their boundaries. They do need parents who set certain restrictions and limits. For instance, if your son hits a playmate with a Lego brick, you may simply brush it saying, “boys will be boys.” But you should always regulate your child’s actions by setting a limit.
Teach your kids the art of balance
Just as you teach your children to talk and walk, you need to show them what flexibility and balance look like. For instance, you should have limited screen time for kids but sometimes allowing them to watch their favourite movie until bedtime will teach them how rules can be tweaked occasionally.
Strive to be more flexible and try to overlook things that do not matter in the grand scheme of things. These go-with-the-flow strategies will help you bond better with your kids.
