Parent Tip –
Accept your child’s limitations:-
“Children need love, especially when they don’t deserve it” – Harold Hulbert.
When I was a teenager, I remember once after school I cooked dinner for my family. I placed slightly burnt bread and tea that I forgot to add sugar to (yes, indeed) in front of my parents. After a long and tiring day at the office, my parents patiently collected the toasts and ate every bite and drank tea with great pleasure. I was stunned! I even tried to apologize but they appreciated my efforts. I was very happy, later in the evening when I asked if they really like toast and tea without sugar, they happily admitted that my food as life is full of imperfections and flaws, but accepting the limitations/faults of others and choosing to stay happy is what family is. all about. If our parents can easily accept our shortcomings, why can’t we as parents do the same? To accept your child’s weaknesses, you must first identify them and try to work on them gradually (whenever possible). Here is a chart that will help you:
has. Start with positive:-
List at least five positive strengths of your child: –
Strengths 1 2 3 4 5
Ways to improve/strengthen them further
Similarly, list its limitations:-
Weaknesses 1 2 3 4 5
Ways to overcome them/turn them into positives
PS: – When setting your limitations, please consider the factors that are beyond your and your control, such as disabilities, external environment, skin, etc. Be practical and realistic.
In the first box, list your child’s positive traits, qualities, competencies, skills, and abilities that you admire and want to further hone their abilities. In the second, mention the negatives that need improvements and changes. By doing so, you can identify how, when, and with whom it can be done.
Accepting them and their weaknesses makes them ‘real’ and ‘unique’ in their own way, which helps you discover inner peace and your self-esteem and confidence. Acknowledging your weaknesses does not mean giving up. I just want to say that we have to accept those weaknesses that are beyond anyone’s reach but that can always grow and learn and improve in traits that can become positive.
Do not forget-
encourage simplicity
End each day by asking yourself and your child, “What made us the happiest today?” or “What am I most grateful for today?” I’m sure many times the answers to these questions are simple things that made our day special. Your duty as a parent is to find something positive in each day (even if your child did not have a good day). This practice will surely help you identify the little pleasures in life. Teach them the meaning of things of pity. Many times we don’t appreciate the things we have and we get stuck looking for fancy/expensive things that we don’t appreciate simple things that money can’t buy. The simple things in life are sometimes not really simple. Many times they become the reason for our happiness, in fact, these things of pity give us more happiness than great pleasures. The little pleasures of life together, such as enjoying the sunrise/sunset, doing housework, baking a cake, cooking your child’s favorite food, enjoying Sunday or holiday breakfast in bed, walking on the beach, dancing/ singing together, reading a book together, playing with them (any indoor or outdoor game), listening to music, watching theirs or their favorite TV show are just a few examples of the pleasure of the simple life that will be the most important in the future.
Little tip: avoid having too many toys for your child. More toy = less joy.