Parenting is no easy task. It can be stressful, intimidating, and downright exhausting. The decisions that you make for your child’s future will affect them in ways that you can’t even imagine. Of course, you want to do what’s best for them, but you constantly change the world. So how do you know which parenting decisions are best?
There are plenty of articles telling you how to parent your child differently, but they all contradict one another. So who should you listen to? This article will tell you which parenting decisions are the most important for your child’s future so that you can have peace of mind while raising your little one.
Why you need to make these decisions now
You will have to make many parenting decisions, but there are six important ones that you need to make now so they can shape your child’s future.
- Improving their self-esteem
- Making them feel loved and supported
- Teach them about appropriate boundaries and limits.
- Ensuring that they get enough sleep.
- Instilling a sense of understanding and empathy for others.
- Teaching them to be responsible and caring for others.
The three most crucial parenting decisions
The three most important parenting decisions that you have to make for your child are their education, work ethic, and social skills. These three things will affect your child’s future more than anything else.
Decide on a family-style
The type of family that you have can have a significant impact on your child’s future. A study found that children raised in families where parents did not live together had higher rates of delinquency, poor academic performance, and low self-esteem. So if you plan on marrying someone who lives far away or is divorced, it’s important to make this decision before you have children.
Find a preschool
The most important parenting decision you’ll make for your child is finding a preschool. This might seem like an odd choice, but it’s very important. A study from the University of Virginia found that children who attend preschool get better grades in math and reading than those who don’t attend preschool.
They also have fewer behavior problems and increased cognitive skills. It’s one of the most important decisions you can make in terms of boosting your child’s future success in school and in life in general!
It’s also important to note that there are mixed opinions regarding public or private schooling. Some people feel that public schools provide more opportunities for lower-income students. In contrast, others think that private schools offer a more nurturing environment for their kids by preventing bullying and generally having higher standards.
Most states require 4-year-olds to be in some educational setting, whether a private preschool or a public kindergarten, so it’s vital that you figure out which school would best fit your family before your child turns four.
Create boundaries and rules for your child
One of the best decisions you can make for your children is setting boundaries and creating rules. You want them to know that there are consequences for their actions and give them a fair chance.
Allow your kid a few chances before you take action, and then be consistent with what you say. For example, if you tell your child not to do something on Monday, don’t let them do it again on Tuesday. This consistency will teach your kids that following the rules has its rewards.
When deciding how to discipline your children, try to make sure they learn from their mistakes. Don’t punish your child by making them sit in a corner all day because they didn’t listen when told not to throw a toy.
Punishing them this way won’t teach them anything new about following the rules. Instead, you want to teach them that they can have a consequence for their bad decision without being unrealistic about it or causing undue stress for everyone involved.
Conclusion
You’ve made the decision to have a child. Now it’s time to make some decisions that will help your child grow into a happy, well-adjusted adult.
The first thing you need to decide is the type of family you want to have. Whether it’s a nuclear family with just the two of you or a blended family, this choice will significantly impact your child.
Next, decide on a family-style. For example, you can decide on a traditional two-parent family with a single income, a single-parent household, or a stay-at-home dad.
After deciding on your family style, find a preschool for your child. The decision you make here will be one of your most important ones. You want to find a school that will prepare your child for elementary school and beyond by teaching them important social skills and giving them the best possible education.
Finally, create boundaries and rules for your child as soon as possible. This will teach them how to behave as they grow up and how to make good decisions as they age.
Loving Family Values 