Harvard Psychologists Say: Parents Who Raise ‘Good’ Kids Do These 5 Things

Our children are the seeds we leave to the world. The way we raise them is literally the way we are shaping the future generation.

Most of our parents simply didn’t know better. They tried their best, but they didn’t know the right way, and most of them did more harm than good.

But we are all human. We are all just trying things and experimenting through trail and error. Some learn quickly, some don’t. However, bad parenting leaves a mark on humanity.

It’s time to change this. It’s time to make a better humanity, to raise better individuals who are empowered, happy and aware of how their actions impact the world.

Harvard scientists show us the right ways of parenting. According to them, these are the 5 things every parent who raised a good child has done.

5 Things Parents Who Raise ‘Good’ Kids Do:

1. Spend time with your children.

It might look like a simple suggestion but it’s actually the biggest problem in today’s society.

We are living in challenging times when we are continuously distracted by technology, work, social media, the news, emails, chores, tasks, and countless other ways.

It’s easier to give a child a toy or an Xbox console to keep them busy while we are busy being buys, than it is to actually spend quality time with your child.

Spending time with your children means putting everything down, reading a book, kicking a ball, hiking, or just playing an old fashioned card game.

It simply means that you interact with your kid in person. These are the things they will remember. They don’t really want internet connection. They want connection with you.

2. Show your child that you care.

According to the Harvard researchers, “Even though most parents and caretakers say that their children being caring is a top priority, often children aren’t hearing that message.”

It’s not enough to show them you care by giving them things, keeping them safe, or feeding them. Children require acknowledgment through words. Words are important.

Your child doesn’t only need to hear that they are the top priority in your life, they need to experience that they are being cared for.

Create a caring environment. Allow your child to feel comfortable to come and speak with you. Let them feel free and comfortable around you.

Invite them to sit and share their stories about school, homework, friends, and so on. Listen to them with full attention.

3. Show your child how to solve problems.Show your child how to solve problems.
One of the greatest gifts you can give to anyone is teaching them how to take full responsibility for their life. Teach your child the ability to analyze and solve problems.

The key in teaching your children to solve problems is trust. When someone has faith and shows trust in you, it encourages you to trust yourself, and this is the key.

It’s difficult to step back as a parent and watch your child make a mistake. But, just like you, it’s part of the learning process, it’s part of the evolution of our humanness.

You want to raise your child to become a productive adult that tackles anything life throws at them with courage and confidence. Not a slave to their victim mentality.

Rick Weissbourd, who conducted the study, suggests that we don’t push our kids to achieve success but give them the tools that will help them.

4. Teach your children to be grateful daily.Teach your children to be grateful daily.
The researchers say that people who engage in the habit of expressing gratitude are more likely to be helpful, generous, compassionate, forgiving as well as happy and healthy.

It’s important for children to see that gratitude is a remarkable gift. Whenever they do something, honor and acknowledge them for their performance.

Children learn by example. By showing them how to express gratefulness by example you will teach them to express gratefulness themselves.

Being grateful instantly shifts your mood and mentality. When we are grateful we shift from scarcity to abundance and become more loving, kind and positive individuals.

Take them to a homeless shelter. Expose them to others who aren’t in the same social class. Allow them to witness how fortunate they are to have what they have at home.

5. Expose your child to different cultures.Expose your child to different cultures.
Researchers say that “almost all children empathize with and care about a small circle of families and friends.”

Exposing your child to different cultures helps them to develop a loving, kind, and happy personality. It teaches them to have empathy towards others.

It also shows them that the world is big and diverse. It opens their mind to not be limited by their environment and culture, but to accept new ideas and think of new possibilities.

We are in pivotal times of human evolution, and this new generation has the ability to be great in changing and shifting our world.

Multicultural friendships are beneficial in many ways. They might discover new interests and they might learn new languages.

Raising ‘Good’ Children Is Our Responsibility:harvard-psychologists-parents-who-raise-good-kids-do-these-5-things
You can see that most of these qualities of a good child do not apply to most grown adults that we know.

It means that we need to change the pattern of parenting that was imposed to us by older generations.

The world is changing, it’s waking up. We are finding new and better ways to interact, communicate and help each other evolve. We need to make the change we want to see.

You are responsible for helping to raise loving souls. Help them navigate this world through compassion, love, and kindness. Show them the right way.

“Raising a caring, respectful, ethical child is and always has been hard work. But it’s something all of us can do. And no work is more important or ultimately more rewarding.”
References:
– https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/resources-for-families/7-tips-raising-caring-kids;