We want our children to feel loved, valued, and important. We want them to grow up with a strong sense of self-worth, confident in their abilities, and ready to tackle the challenges of the world. But in the hustle and bustle of daily life, it can be all too easy to forget to take the time to show our children just how important they are to us.
I remember a time when my daughter came home from school feeling low about herself. She had been struggling with her grades and was feeling discouraged. As her mother, I wanted to do everything in my power to lift her spirits and make her feel valued. I started spending more quality time with her, listening actively to her concerns, and encouraging her to keep trying. It wasn’t long before I started to see a change in her. She began to feel more confident in herself and her abilities, and her grades improved as a result.
That experience taught me a valuable lesson: making our children feel important is essential to their development and well-being.
In this article, I will share some practical strategies that parents can use to help their children feel valued and important. From spending quality time with your child to giving them responsibilities, these strategies will help you build a strong relationship with your child and boost their self-esteem. So, let’s dive in and explore how we can make our children feel important and valued every day.
Here are 5 ways to make your child feel important and valued.
1. Spend quality time together
Spending quality time with your child is one of the most effective ways to make them feel valued and important. When you spend time with your child, you are not only creating cherished memories together but also building a strong relationship with them. Regularly spending time together can help your child feel more secure, loved, and valued. Additionally, it can also improve their mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being.
Quality time can take many different forms, and it doesn’t always have to be a grand gesture. Something as simple as reading a book together or going for a walk can be an excellent opportunity to bond with your child. Here are some examples of activities that you can do with your child:
- Family dinners: Eating together as a family is a great way to spend quality time with your child. It provides an opportunity for everyone to catch up on their day and connect with each other.
- Game nights: Playing games together can be a fun and engaging way to spend time with your child. It can also teach them valuable skills such as sportsmanship, problem-solving, and social skills.
- Outdoor activities: Going for a hike, visiting the park, or playing catch in the backyard are all great outdoor activities that you can do with your child. Not only does it provide an opportunity to bond, but it also promotes physical activity and a love for the outdoors.
- Creative activities: Engaging in creative activities such as painting, drawing, or crafting can be a great way to bond with your child while also encouraging their creativity and imagination.
The key to spending quality time with your child is to make it a regular habit. Find activities that you both enjoy and make time for them regularly. It doesn’t have to be a significant time commitment; even a few minutes a day can make a big difference. By making time for your child, you are showing them that they are important to you and that you value your relationship with them.
Recommended reading: Do You Make Fun of Your Child or Complain About Them in Social Circles in Their Presence?
2. Listen actively
Active listening is a crucial aspect of effective communication, especially when it comes to building strong relationships with your child. Active listening means being fully present and engaged in the conversation, and focusing on what your child is saying without any distractions. This involves not only hearing what they say, but also understanding their perspective and feelings.
One of the main benefits of active listening is that it helps your child feel heard and understood, which can improve their self-esteem and confidence. It also helps to strengthen your relationship with your child, as they will feel more comfortable opening up to you about their thoughts and feelings.
View this post on Instagram
To listen actively to your child, it is important to create a safe and comfortable space for them to share their thoughts and feelings. You can do this by maintaining eye contact, avoiding distractions such as phones or television, and showing empathy and understanding. Try to listen without interrupting or judging, and ask open-ended questions to encourage your child to elaborate on their thoughts and feelings.
Another important aspect of active listening is to provide feedback to your child, to show that you are engaged in the conversation and interested in what they have to say. This can involve summarizing what they said in your own words, asking clarifying questions, and expressing empathy and understanding.
Recommended reading: Do you have space in your family to disagree, to think differently, and be respected?
Recommended reading: “Mumma, Keep Your Phone Away”
3. Show interest in their lives
Parents often have busy schedules, and it can be challenging to keep track of everything that’s going on in their child’s life. However, taking the time to show interest in your child’s hobbies, interests, and accomplishments can make a huge difference in how they feel valued and important. It can also help strengthen your relationship with them.
Showing interest in your child’s life can be as simple as asking them about their day and actively listening to their response. It’s important to ask open-ended questions and give them space to share their thoughts and feelings without interruption. This can help them feel heard and understood.
Another way to show interest in your child’s life is to attend their extracurricular activities, such as sports games, dance recitals, or music performances. Not only does this show that you value their interests, but it also gives you an opportunity to spend quality time together and create shared memories.
Additionally, you can ask your child to teach you about something that they’re passionate about, such as a hobby or a school subject. This shows that you respect their expertise and value their opinions.
Overall, showing interest in your child’s life can help build their self-esteem, improve their communication skills, and strengthen your relationship with them. It doesn’t have to be a big gesture, but rather small efforts consistently made to show that you care.
4. Praise and encourage them
Praising and encouraging your child is essential for building their self-esteem and confidence. It also motivates them to keep trying and improving themselves. However, it’s essential to give praise and encouragement effectively to be beneficial to your child. Here are some tips to help you:
- Be specific: Instead of giving general praise like “good job,” be specific about what they did well. For example, “I’m impressed by the way you solved that problem on your own.”
- Focus on effort, not outcome: Praise your child’s effort, not just their accomplishments. For example, “I’m proud of how hard you worked on your project, even though it was challenging.”
- Encourage them to keep trying: Encourage your child to keep working towards their goals, even if they encounter obstacles. For example, “I know you can do it if you keep practicing.”
- Avoid comparison: Avoid comparing your child’s performance to that of others, as it can be discouraging. Instead, focus on their progress and improvement.
- Be genuine: Children can tell when praise is insincere, so make sure to give genuine praise and encouragement.
Remember that praising and encouraging your child is not about making them feel entitled or superior. It’s about helping them develop a healthy self-esteem and motivating them to reach their full potential.
Recommended reading: Do You Know When Your Child Loses Confidence?
Recommended reading: Signs Of Emotional Abuse From Parents
5. Give them responsibilities
Giving children responsibilities and chores is an important aspect of their development. It not only helps them learn important life skills, but also instills a sense of accountability and self-reliance. It is crucial to assign age-appropriate responsibilities to children so that they feel capable and not overwhelmed.
Children as young as two years old can begin to help with simple tasks such as putting toys away or placing clothes in a laundry basket. As they get older, they can handle more complex tasks such as setting the table, folding laundry, or sweeping the floor. By the time they are teenagers, they can handle tasks such as grocery shopping or cooking meals.
Assigning children tasks based on their age and ability is important. It helps them develop a sense of purpose and ownership, while also boosting their self-esteem. It also teaches them important life skills such as time management, organization, and problem-solving.
Parents can start by assigning simple tasks that are easy to complete, and gradually increase the complexity of the task as the child grows older. It is important to provide clear instructions and expectations, and to praise the child for a job well done.
For example, parents can ask a three-year-old child to help set the table by putting napkins on each plate. A six-year-old child can be responsible for watering the plants or feeding the family pet. An eight-year-old child can be responsible for keeping their room tidy, while a 12-year-old child can help with meal planning and preparation.
Conclusion: Make Your Child Feel Important and Valued
In conclusion, making your child feel important is crucial for their development and self-esteem. Spending quality time together, active listening, showing interest in their lives, praising and encouraging them, and giving them responsibilities are effective ways to achieve this goal. By implementing these strategies, you can strengthen your bond with your child and help them grow into confident and capable individuals.
Remember, parenting is a journey, and it takes time and effort to build a strong relationship with your child. Be patient and consistent in your efforts, and you will see the results in the long run.
So, take some time out of your busy schedule and implement these strategies today. Your child’s happiness and well-being are worth the investment.
If you have any other parenting tips or strategies that have worked for you, feel free to share them in the comments below.
And if you need further guidance or support, consider reaching out to a parenting coach or therapist. They can provide you with personalized advice and help you navigate the challenges of parenting.
Thank you for reading, and happy parenting!
