Learn from these 10 common mistakes every parent has made, and make use of our helpful tips on what to do so you can minimize making these parenting mistakes yourself.
Mistake #1: Getting overly stressed out when your baby is crying
What should you do instead? Be calm. For the most part, crying is just part of being a baby. But if your infant is inconsolable for a long time, or has fever, a rash, a swollen belly or is vomiting, then you need to call your pediatrician to see if everything is okay.
Mistake #2: Waking your baby from sleep, just to breastfeed him or her
What should you do instead? Let the baby sleep anyway. Both you and the baby will benefit from some extra sleep.
Mistake #3: Thinking that a fever in a newborn is nothing serious and will go away by itself
What should you do instead? If your child feels warm, take their temperature. If the temperature is above 100.4C, it is something serious, so call your pediatrician immediately.
Mistake #4: Not properly installing the baby car seat
What you should do instead? Your infant’s life depend on it, so check with the store that you have installed the baby car seat properly.
Mistake #5: Neglecting your children’s oral care
What should you do instead? Your baby is never too young for you to start encouraging good oral health habits. Use wet gauze to wipe down your baby’s gums. Start using a toothbrush when the baby turns one.
Mistake #6: Rushing your kids through childhood
What should you do instead? Let your child enjoy the wonder of childhood. Childhood is a time for free play and discovery. When we rush children through it, we rob them of an innocent age that they’ll never pass through again.
Mistake #7: Teaching your kids unhealthy competition, simply because you are highly competitive
Children need to work hard and understand that dreams don’t come on a silver platter; they have to sweat and fight for them. But when we instill a “win at all costs” attitude, permitting them to throw anyone under the bus to get ahead, we lose sight of the importance of character. Character may not seem important in adolescence, but in adulthood it’s everything. What should you do instead? Teach your kids to be competitive while being respectful to the other competitors. Ask them to congratulate the winner when they lose. Teach them the meaning of healthy competition.
Mistake #8: Forgetting that your actions speak louder than words
What should you do instead? Talk is cheap, action is valuable. Don’t just talk them about something, show them how it should be done.
Mistake #9: Raising the child we want, not the child we have
What should you do instead? Our job is to figure out their natural talents and train them in that direction. Forcing our dreams on them won’t work. Only when we see them for who they are can we impact their life powerfully.
Mistake #10: Believing our child is perfect
What should you do instead? The truth can hurt, but when we listen with an open heart and mind we stand to benefit. We can intervene early before a situation gets out of hand. It’s easier to deal with a troubled child than repair a broken adult. So, which parenting mistake can you relate most? Tell me in the comments section below.
