How to Encourage Good Qualities in Your Child

May 25, 2022

Your responsibilities as a parent are often challenging yet rewarding. The love you have for your child is unconditional, and you unquestionably experience ups and downs. Celebrating the ups and working through the downs is important for your child’s development and growth. Laurie Grengs Counseling can help you discover how to encourage good qualities in your child and bring out their best.

Promote Honest and Considerate Communication

Make time every day to talk to your child. Ask questions to encourage thought, reflection, and self-expression. Find out what he or she learned in school or what they are excited for, and express excitement for them, too.

Speak in a calm and genial tone so your child feels comfortable coming to you with anything, including worries or fears. Use a nickname or other terms that express affection to cultivate a sense of belonging and build a stronger connection with your child.

Instill Responsibility in Your Child

Let your child know that you believe in and trust them by asking for help with small tasks or chores. This also helps your child learn to contribute to the household and learn about responsibility. Whether helping with dishes, yardwork, or simple DIY projects, your child will see how his or her role contributes to the overall success. Feeling helpful and needed boosts children’s confidence and sets them up to understand expectations as they grow.

Be sure to thank your child for helping. This allows him or her to experience the value and self-respect that comes from lending support.

Show Your Playful Side

Incorporate humor and laughter at home each day. Show your playful side and encourage your child to also be silly and creative. Joking and having fun together lets your child witness an easy-going facet that is fun and approachable. Laughing and playing together will help solidify a bond of trust and authenticity between the two (or more) of you.

Enjoy Family Time Together

In addition to being playful, family time together is a great way to build a genuine relationship with your child. Spend time outside walking or playing yard games. Maybe complete a puzzle or play board games together. Such activities help your child learn patience, strategic thinking, communication, and how to work with others. You may even want to read to or with your child to boost imagination and literacy. Or listen to music to promote your child’s interests and cultural development.

Express Sincere Remorse

If you have a misunderstanding with your child or run into a hiccup in your relationship, express sincere remorse with an apology. Apologizing shows admiration and humility for others and teaches your child how to handle sensitive situations and conflict resolution. Let your child know you recognize your error and that you are sorry. Ask for forgiveness and follow up with actions that lend credibility to your apology. This will help to reestablish trust. Your child may take time to respond and forgive, so remember to be patient.

Allow Your Child to Figure Things Out

Watching your child fall, fail, or make mistakes is difficult. However, going through missteps is how children learn about decisions and consequences. Allow your child to figure things out on his or her own to build independence, insight, capabilities. Help your child understand that mistakes are lessons so that he or she will be more willing to take risks and chances to find success throughout life. Encourage him or her to confront difficulties and relish in the sense of accomplishment in overcoming them.

Be an Example for Your Child

Above all else, be a good example for your child. Set the standard for actions, reactions, and communication that you want to see him or her follow. When you see those positive qualities come through in your child’s behavior, recognize and applaud them. These affirmations will help your child develop good habits and cultivate a positive approach toward everyday situations.

Fulfill Their Needs

Children are original and unique in their personalities and necessities. But as they develop, children mainly require support, guidance, safety, and love. Try to focus less on being a perfect parent and more on fulfilling those basic needs to help your child grow, learn, and understand how to reflect positivity. Laurie Grengs Counseling offers Children’s Therapy services to help you discover how to encourage good qualities in your child. Learn more ways to bring out their best. Contact Laurie today to schedule an appointment.