We all know that the home is seen as the first place a child is expected to learn something, even before learning in other places and when a child behaves well, lots of credit goes to the home and if not, the home is still blamed for the irresponsible acts of the child.
This means that parents are seen as a child's first teachers as their children are expected to learn a lot from them. But do all parents have what it takes to raise a child?
As teachers, we are known as a child's "loco parentis" which is more like acting parents in the school. Our duty goes beyond the cognitive domain, we are also charged with instilling morals into children. Whenever I see a situation where any student tells me that they can't tell their parents what's bothering them, It breaks my heart and I ask myself "Will I push my children to this point where they can't confide in me?".
Parents love their children but they have a funny way of showing it. I sometimes wonder if there is a law that prohibits parents from saying "sorry" to their child(ren) when they accuse them wrongly or "thank you" as a way of appreciating them.
I know I want to train my child well and discipline them but I don't want to be too hard on them to the point where they would be scared of me because if the latter is the case, then they will find it difficult to tell me anything.
Parents are more than just providers and nurturers, they are responsible for molding children into responsible adults and some of these traits are required of parents;
Good Communication
Parents should learn to communicate with their children more with words rather than whips. In some homes, some children are not always been listened to. In most cases, If they were even perceived to have done something wrong, before explaining themselves, they would have received slaps and beatings and what happens when they are found Innocent afterwards? Do they receive any form of apology?
Parents should be their children's friends, they should be free enough to discuss anything with their parents and this is made possible if their parents are free with them.
Patience
Children as loving as they are can test our patience. One of the traits a parent must possess is to be slow to anger. If parents judge a child by the number of times they provoke them, they might end up dealing with that child almost all the time.
Parents should always use positive words on their children no matter how angry they are. Some parents might use some negative words on a child when provoked which might affect the emotional state of the child and it will get to a point that the presence of their parents will cause them to shake with fright. Words are powerful, some words can make or break a child, so I believe that parents need to have a lot of patience with their children.
Kindness
"Charity begins at home", I have often heard about this statement and how it reflects on a child. Most children display things they learned from home which is why parents need to not just teach their kids but also show them through actions that a simple act of kindness goes a long way to put a smile on people's faces. The importance of kindness can never be over-emphasized. When you see a child being kind to another, he or she must have seen their parents doing it.
Children tend to emulate their parents, this is why parents should strive hard to ensure that their words and actions are worthy of emulation.
This is my response to the question posed by @amberkashif in the ladies of hive community contest in collaboration with dreemport.