Raise Happy and Healthy Kids – Tried and Tested Tips

How does one raise a child? Do we feed them, clothe them, give them water and expect them to grow magically? Till what age do we need to teach them things? How patient do we have to be to raise a child? And more importantly, what is a well-raised child, if there is such a thing? I stumbled upon these questions during one of my zoned-out stream-of-consciousness trips while coming back from work on a bus as two mothers constantly bickered about their children.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, but we don’t live in villages anymore. We don’t have people who would stop our children from doing wrong things anymore. We don’t have neighbours around to protect them from fights anymore. We don’t have elders who would help us with the parenting tips anymore.

In this blog, we will talk about some of the best practices that we as parents can incorporate and just hope that our children will grow up to be good people. Otherwise, we will have to change the whole blog after 30 years.

Effective parenting is the most important aspect of raising a healthy kid. By reading this blog and becoming an effective parent, you can:

• Develop a strong bond with your child

• Inculcate healthy habits and behaviors in your child

• Support their emotional and mental well-being

• Encourage their academic and social success (not growing up to be a doctor is fine, ask me)

• Prepare them for future challenges

An environment your kids can thrive and be comfortable is the foundation of their growth. They need to feel safe, valued, and loved. Show them affection, offer some encouragement, and be there to listen and support your child's needs. Just spending some time during dinner and being there during difficult times like exams or a live performance can make all the difference.

Prioritize Physical Health

Eat Healthy: Yeah, we know you know about the benefits of eating healthy and you probably follow it already. Just make sure to give them a lot of fruits, nuts, veggies and protein. Of course, the occasional KFCs don’t hurt, don’t go full Ronaldo on your kid.

Regular Exercise: Play catch with your kid, take them swimming, or even to the playground and get them moving! Physical exercises have a proven benefit in the physical and cognitive development of kids.

Bed Time: Once your kid tires themselves out by exercising, it will be much easier to get them to sleep! 8-10 hours would be ideal and make sure they have a strict bedtime so they don’t get cranky during school the next day.

Positive Parenting: Remember to show your love and appreciation and congratulate them whenever they work hard. It’s okay if they’ve failed at something, but as long as it is something you want your kid to master, make sure you appreciate the effort. Kids tend to jump hobbies, so as a parent, your responsibility is to encourage them to stick to one and be good at it. You’d be surprised how confident they will become after they master it.

Emotional Support: Teach your child to express their emotions in healthy ways. Be empathetic and validate their feelings, helping them navigate through challenges. Also, remember to teach them how to deal with feelings. Otherwise, they will be emotionally dependent on you.

Stress Management: Equip your child with stress management techniques. Deep breathing, mindfulness, and relaxation exercises can go a long way in keeping their cool! Kids have a lot of demands and they get cranky when they’re not met. Take the opportunity to help them practise stress management techniques.

Independence and Responsibility

You don’t want your kid to be relying on you when they’re 30. You have to let them deal with things on their own and these parenting strategies can be a great starting point!

Home Tasks: Start making your child do basic tasks like making the bed and doing their dishes. Let them come to the vegetable shop with you so they know how to spot the good ones from the bad ones themselves! We mean tomatoes, guys.

Decision-Making Skills: Encourage your child to make their own decisions and solve their problems. Be there to offer guidance but allow them to experience the consequences of their choices whether good or bad.

Time Management: Teach your child to manage their time effectively. Help them create a balanced schedule that includes study time, playtime, and rest.

Social Skills: Teach your child essential social skills, such as sharing, taking turns, and communicating effectively. If you have more than one kid, teaching them to share snacks can be a great way!

Healthy Friendships: Encourage your child to build and maintain healthy friendships. Let them go for sleepovers and birthday parties and make friendships and memories!

Community Involvement: Get your child involved in community activities, such as sports teams, clubs, or volunteer work. This can help them create a sense of belonging and social responsibility.

Model Healthy Behaviors

Believe it or not, parents are the biggest role models for children. Not Taylor Swift, not AP Dhillon. Showcase the qualities you want your child to have and they’ll follow their hero soon enough! Remember, they learn from what you do, not what you preach. So, time for you to buckle down!

Remember, you are their parent, not their friend. So, you have to discipline and reprimand your kid when they cross the line. Now, we don’t mean hitting your kid, let’s make sure that ends with the previous generation.

Hitting your kid to discipline them can be quite counterproductive and it will only traumatize them. According to a recent survey, around 77% of parents have resorted to hitting their kids while 28% of them do it regularly.

Set clear expectations for behavior and remind them about it. Explain the reasons behind the rules and the consequences of breaking them so they understand the importance of it. The consequences can be a reduction in game or TV time, or not going to the dog park that both of you cherish.

Take deep breaths, stay composed, and approach every situation with the mindset of positive parenting.

Childcare Advice for Busy Parents

According to a recent survey done in metro cities, 20% of families have both parents working and most of them fail to spend more than five hours on a weekday with their children. So, it’s imperative you spend more time with your kids. We know it's difficult balancing the act of working and parenting, but there are some tips that you can follow:

Daycare: Choose a daycare that aligns with your parenting values. Speak to the daycare providers regularly so you get updated when they stack their blocks taller than them or if they get into fights with the other toddlers. You can also try Montessori, a new type of education. Research also says it has better effects on children’s maths and writing skills!

Opt for Hybrid: Speak to your boss and request if you can work in a hybrid or even a work-from-home environment so you can spend more time with your kid. It can be difficult, but hey, a wise man once said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!”

A Support Network: Try getting family members or friends that you can trust to be with your kids. Yes, grandparents tend to pamper their grandkids, so remember to set clear boundaries with them!

Even if you can’t do any of these, always remember, that quality is always preferred more than quantity. So make sure that no matter how little time you get with your kids, make the most of it.

As we’ve seen in Taare Zameen Par, every child is unique, and what works for Sharma Ji Ka beta may not work for you. Be flexible, patient, and open to learning and adapting your parenting approach as your child grows.

By adopting these effective parenting tips, you can create a nurturing environment that supports your child's development and prepares them for success once they become a doctor, engineer, or lawyer! Prioritize their physical health, promote their emotional well-being, let them have a life outside of the home, model healthy behaviors, and remember to be strict, especially during tough times.