There’s a common misconception that states it’s the job of any parent to define and mold their children to become healthy adults. Of course, in some respects, like setting boundaries, that much is true.
But it would be much more accurate to state that parenthood is about helping our children become more complete versions of themselves, and helping to highlight their natural strengths and healthy personality traits. We all have good and bad in us of course, and so the parents job is to highlight the former and downplay the latter.
For example, a child may have a natural predisposition to sharing, but also a quick temper, and the task of parenthood is to help them always try and lean towards the foremost virtue, and learn how to control the latter. This doesn’t mean shaping their personality, it means helping it grow in the best way, as you might guide a climber plant up a wall.
Another important responsibility, much like this, is to help our children become more familiar with the world around them, the world they’ll eventually grow into an independent adult within.
Let’s explore how to do that:
Help Them Look After A Pet
You don’t have to leave your home for half the year to show them the world, sometimes you bring it home. Helping your child look after a lovely pet like their first puppy can be formative for a child, because it teaches them responsibility, love, and also helps train out a fear of dogs or a concern about them. It also makes them feel confident around animals which isn’t an unhealthy attitude to take, within obvious boundaries of safety. A pet can also increase the mental health of your little ones, and can help them develop a more attuned sense of empathy.
Head On Family Vacations
These don’t have to be huge and expensive affairs, and you don’t have to leave the country, so don’t think you’re providing lesser to your child if you go camping by the coast instead of heading abroad each year. Moreover, well-curated family adventure holidays can be fantastic, because they help you take the planning out of the event and let you enjoy a great novel experience with your kids. When they feel curious, happy, and have fun outside of their comfort zone, they won’t feel so insular. This is important in a world that tries to pretend everything we need is on the television screen or behind a broadband connection.
Help Them Sustain Friends
It’s more than appropriate for a parent to guide which friends and connections their child makes, as perhaps you’re not too fond of a given family in their class and would rather de-emphasize those connections. Most parents do this, so don’t worry. But helping them sustain healthy friends, including playdates, organizing sleepovers (after being certain of their safety), and birthday parties (even if they’re very modest) can be great for a child, especially as they build connectons and histories with their classmates.
Another wonderful way to encourage these friendships while keeping children active is by meeting up at local parks and community playgrounds. Many municipalities feature safe playground equipment from WillyGoat, creating inviting spaces where children can play together, develop their physical abilities, and strengthen their social bonds in a secure outdoor environment. These community gathering spots provide the perfect backdrop for children to create lasting memories with their friends. It’s even more important if you move often.
With this advice, we hope you can help children become more worldly going forward, in the healthiest way.