Welcome to the Journey of Parenthood

‘PARENTS’…. A word of only 7 letters, but for us, they are more precious than the 7 Wonders of the World, and the journey of being a parent shows us the 7 colors of the rainbow.

Parenthood is a beautiful journey filled with moments of joy, learning, and sometimes challenges. As parents, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Bringing up children can be a blissful as well as a bewildering experience. Why do we need another chance to experience parenthood all over again when we can raise the first born the correct way? Have you ever thought about it???

There are 4 different types of parenting styles. Our grandparents had their style of parenting, which our parents adapted, but with this developing generation, we cannot adapt the same style of parenting. These are AUTHORITARIAN- where we are the boss and we dictate things. Next is AUTHORITATIVE- where we enforce rules and provide warmth and support. Next is PERMISSIVE- where a parent is lenient and friendly with children. The last one is UNINVOLVED- where we become neglectful, we give less guidance and support. Here, I, as a parent, need to look into my parenting style. Am I telling my child

Alex, a 15-year-old high school student, has been experiencing frequent outbursts and tantrums, especially when asked to do household chores or when there’s a change in routine. These outbursts include yelling, slamming doors, and refusing to communicate. The same is seen in his younger sister Emma, a 5 year- old girl, who has also started imitating her brother. They tend to have mood swings when it comes to attending school or completing the tasks given. Sometimes they yell that their friends have their mobile phone and they also want the same. The bond of siblings is precious, here they are bonding together against their parents. Their parents are concerned and seek ways to manage their behavior effectively.
The most difficult challenge seen here is- ‘Tantrum’.

Let’s start with the basic challenge, which starts with bearing tantrums. During our childhood, our parents never let us showcase our tantrums, and now Tantrums are normal; tantrums bring out the patience in you as a parent.

• Communication is the biggest weapon to solve problems. Parents started to talk to Alex to understand his perspective. They learned that Alex feels overwhelmed with schoolwork and is frustrated by a lack of control over his time. They created a routine with the children to effectively use their time. The family created clear rules regarding chores and responsibilities, ensuring Alex understands what is expected of him. Emma, as a young girl, only wanted to behave like his brother. Parents also started giving her responsibilities. We can always think out of the box to handle the Gen-Z generation. Create a to-do chart for kids and appreciate them for their efforts.

  
  Children are highly perceptive and can sense your mood. A positive attitude creates a happy environment for everyone. Handle their tantrums with a positive attitude.

• Mood swings We must understand and recognize the reasons behind their mood swings, as we need to help them navigate their emotions. They may feel cranky, fussy, and restless, and they will also be reluctant to follow the instructions. Alex is a teenager where we observe Hormonal changes, Social and academic pressure, which we can simplify by saying Peer influence or Peer pressure.
• We need to be open to conversation with the children to make them feel comfortable and friendly. Channelise their energy, engage them in any hobby classes of their choice. Peer support can have positive and negative impacts on each other. Conversation with children can include asking them about their peers, having a get-together with children, peers, and parents to know them better. Tina is a young child, as a parent, we need to observe the developmental changes, rapid growth, and development can cause emotional imbalance. The changes in routine, new environments, or stressful family situations can impact the mood. Try to stay connected to the children. They need your time to achieve the milestones of their development. Let children express their feelings with drawings. Limited language skills may lead to frustration and mood swings. Engross in conversation with them, understand that challenges are temporary and part of the growing process.

Enjoy the journey, amidst the sleepless nights, endless diaper changes, running behind kids for food, staying awake to complete school projects, and preparing them for exams. Take your time to enjoy and appreciate the unique journey of parenthood. We can always relive our childhood by admiring our kids.

Parenting is a continuous learning experience. Trust yourself, seek support when needed, and cherish every moment with your little one. You’ve got this.