5 ESSENTIAL SKILLS EVERY PARENT SHOULD MASTER!

Parenthood is a wondrous odyssey that one should embrace. It is said that God has gifted this earth with parents because He cannot look after every child personally. There are two reasons why this journey is so special:

• We remember our own childhood and are able to relate to it in a whole new light.

•  Whatever we observe and experience is created by us and brought forth by us.

As a mother of a four-year-old, I find this journey to be both fascinating and adventurous. And when the word "adventure" appears in our adult minds, it brings with it all sorts of discomforts, anxieties, and unpredictability.

Here are a set of 5 skills that you can acquire as a parent to make your journey more enjoyable and peaceful:

1. PATIENCE

 Patience is a virtue, they say, but it is also a necessity when it comes to parenting. As a parent of a four-year-old, I can attest to this fact. My child has taught me the meaning of patience in ways that I never thought possible.

From the early days of breastfeeding, when I would sit for hours with my child at my breast, waiting for her to finish her meal, to the more recent challenges of potty training and tantrum handling, I have learned that patience is essential for parenting.

Patience allows you to stay calm and connected when your child is having a meltdown. It allows you to listen to her/his needs and concerns, even when he/she is not expressing them in a clear or rational way. It allows you to teach them to manage their emotions and to behave in a way that is acceptable.

Patience is not always easy, but it is worth it. When you are patient with your child, you are able to build a stronger relationship with them.

So, to all parents out there, I say this: patience is a virtue, but it is also a necessity. Embrace it, cultivate it, and use it to build a strong and loving relationship with your child.

2 . TIME MANAGEMENT

Parenthood is a journey of endless tasks, both big and small. It can be daunting to think about how to manage work, household chores, and parenting duties all at the same time. But it doesn't have to be so overwhelming. Here are a few tips to help you stay organized and sane.

• Create a to-do list for each area of your life :This will help you to see everything that needs to be done and to prioritize your tasks.

• Assign time slots for each task: This will help you to stay on track and to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Don't wait for your baby to sleep to do chores: Take advantage of the time when your baby is playing on their own to get some things done.

• Make a schedule for your baby and adjust your chores accordingly: This will help you to create a routine and to ensure that your baby is getting the care they need.

• Make a priority list: Not all tasks are created equal. Decide which tasks are most important and focus on those first.

• Make a habit of cleaning immediately: This will help to prevent clutter from building up and will make your home feel more manageable.

Remember, a decluttered space helps to declutter your thoughts. By taking care of the physical clutter in your life, you can create a more peaceful and productive environment for yourself and your family.

3.INSTANT STORY-TELLER

We have all grown up either listening to stories from our grandparents or by reading bedtime story books. But the story telling method I am going to talk about is altogether different. Let me explain it to you through an example.

Once, my daughter demanded a sweet which she enjoyed thoroughly. But she could only finish half of it. She told me that she would have the remaining part in the evening. One of the family members unknowingly finished the sweet... as soon as she understood this in the evening, there was an outburst of emotions. she started yelling and crying; which was actually ok from her point of view.. but for me as a parent it was dealing with the new tantrum… instantly the creative storyteller within me came out and I told her while carrying her to the balcony that the crow who lived on the tree was very sad as she was unable to feed her baby crow. So I gave them your sweet. I then connected her to the satisfactory emotions of the crow and its baby., and how they felt after receiving the sweets. This suddenly calmed her down and made her feel empathetic towards the crow and its baby. Then I promised to give her the same sweet the next day. And I kept my promise.

As parents, we all know that tantrums are a part of growing up. But what can we do to help our children learn to cope with their emotions in a healthy way? One effective strategy is to use storytelling.

Storytelling can be a powerful tool for teaching children empathy, compassion, and problem-solving skills. It can also help them to understand their own emotions and to develop coping mechanisms for dealing with difficult situations.

My daughter was initially upset, but the story helped her to understand why the sweet was gone. She also felt good about helping the crow and her baby. The shift from a tantrum to calmness was observed.

This example shows how storytelling can be used to help children to deal with their emotions in a healthy way. It also shows how as parents you can use storytelling to teach children valuable life lessons.

 4. HAPPY PARENT= HAPPY CHILD

Parents, if you want your child to be happy, you must be happy yourself. Children are highly perceptive beings; they can sense your emotions, even if you do not express them verbally. They can feel your anxiety, your unrest, and your stress. When you are feeling these emotions, your child may cry or act out in other ways. This is because they are trying to communicate with you that they are feeling your emotions too.

It is important to remember that it is not possible to be happy 24/7. However, there are things you can do to manage your emotions and stay calm more often. Here are a few tips:

• 1. Observe yourself: Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings throughout the day. What are you feeling? Are you feeling stressed, anxious, or angry? If so, take a moment to pause and breathe deeply.

• 2. Make self-introspection a healthy habit: Regularly reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. What are your triggers? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What can you do to improve your emotional well-being?

• As soon as you realize you are going through a roller coaster of emotions, go into empty space: Take some time for yourself to calm down and collect your thoughts. This could mean going for a walk, listening to music, or meditating.

• Calm down yourself and then go to your child: Once you have calmed down, you will be better able to address your child's needs.

• Listen to soothing music: Listening to soothing music can help to relax your body and mind.

• Meditate: Meditation is a great way to train your mind to focus on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts.

• Release your emotions on paper: Writing can be a helpful way to process your emotions and let go of negative feelings.

By following these tips, you can learn to manage your emotions and stay calm more often. This will benefit you and your child in the long run.

Remember, your child is always looking to you for guidance and support. If you can model healthy emotional coping mechanisms, they will be more likely to do the same. So take care of yourself, both physically and emotionally.

          5. ME TIME

"Last but not least, parents need to make time for themselves. This may seem counterintuitive, but it is essential for your own well-being and for your ability to be a good parent. When you are well-rested, relaxed, and happy, you are better able to deal with the challenges of parenting. You are also more patient, understanding, and loving.

Me time does not mean scrolling through social media, watching Netflix, or lazing on the couch. It means spending time on activities that make you happy and fulfilled. This could include yoga, exercise, reading, journaling, writing thank-you notes, or pursuing your hobbies. It is important to find activities that help you relax and recharge.

When you take time for yourself, you are sending a message to your children that they are not your only priority. You are also teaching them the importance of self-care. When they see you taking care of yourself, they will be more likely to take care of themselves.

So make sure to schedule some time for yourself every day. It is an investment in your own happiness and in the happiness of your family."

"In conclusion, I want to remind you not to be overwhelmed by the list of things I have just mentioned. Parenting is a journey, and it is a journey that is full of ups and downs. There will be times when you feel like you are doing everything wrong, and there will be times when you feel like you are the best parent in the world. But one thing is for sure: your child has the capacity to bring out the best in you.

The foundation of a strong parent-child relationship is unconditional love. When you love your child unconditionally, you are willing to do anything for them, even when they are difficult. You are also willing to forgive them when they make mistakes. When your child feels loved and accepted, they are more likely to thrive.Just remember to take things one step at a time, and to enjoy the journey.”