Your young child’s self-esteem is at a brittle stage, when experiences and knowledge, as well as external and internal stimuli, dictate how well they adjust to life as an adult. This is the stage when you should do everything within reason to help your child.
While you can’t give your child everything and protect them from experiences in life that build character and a stronger foundation for maturity, you can play a supporting role in easing their transition into adulthood a little. Here are some ways to do that.
Let them know you’re there
Easier said than done, that’s for sure. But you have to initiate communication in a way that does not intrude into your child’s growing idea of privacy. This is a tough balancing act, in which you must learn how to decide where your boundaries are. Should you say something about what they’re wearing/saying/watching/doing/etc.? Or should you leave them to figure it out for themselves. Again, it’s a balancing act, and the sooner you get the hang of it, the less problematic the growing up years should be.
Teach them about hygiene
Hygiene is something you never outgrow; it stays with you through life. Teach your child its value, from regular showers or baths to keeping dental appointments, from wearing a fresh pair of socks every day to keeping their room neat and orderly. This is also the time to schedule a visit to the orthodontist in Tooele. Braces worn at a young age will give your child straighter teeth, which can add to confidence in the future. The regular appointments with a dental professional also adds to your child’s ideas about taking care of their oral health.
Remember how it was for you
When you feel like you’re overstepping your boundaries, remember how it was for you as a child. Your child is not you, of course, but chances are there are things they do or say that remind you of when you were young. Try to understand them and be a friend to them. This is how you keep them close to you and away from bad influence.
Being a parent is not a walk in the park, but it should also be as rewarding as it is challenging. Your child needs the best care, so give it to them. Make time for them; time spent with your child is never something you regret.
