Having an experience of about 15 years, Dr Neelima Vardhan is the Principal of KIIT World School. She has worked as Vice Principal in KIIT World School, Delhi and Registrar at KIIT Group of Colleges, Gurgaon. Dr Neelima has published about 8 papers in various journals. Her primary areas of interest are Multiple Intelligence, Teaching-Learning Process, and writing research papers. Dr Neelima is a life- long learner.
Parenting or child rearing is a process by which parents help their children shape their lives. Trying to make children independent and socialize are the main motives of child-rearing. Behavioral changes are noticeable in adequately parented and inadequately parented children, as they reflect what they taught. It prepares them to cope up with society, their emotions, and intellectuality. While parenting it is necessary to transform them into productive and independent adults. Apart from this, the parents have to transmit cultural and religious values which will further shape their spiritual beliefs. Parenting is not only about teaching what our parents teach us but to put every single effort into making a better person for society and the rest of his life.
Parenting affected by COVID-19
Raising children is the most difficult job in the world and the one who feels like this is the one least prepared. Parenting came up with lots of responsibilities, especially for the newly became parents. It is important as a parent to make decisions that are beneficial for the child, and they have to be very generous in taking decisions because their child’s life is at stake. After all, one negative experience or bad teaching can affect his whole life and can cause a drastic change in his perspective.
COVID-19 pandemic has given a chance to the parents to spend more time with their children and do parenting in the right way. With schools and workplaces closed due to this pandemic, many of us have found ourselves dealing with very stressful, family situations. Dealing with homeschooling, work from home and house chores at the same time are challenging. As a parent at this time, it’s easy to feel that you have many roles to fulfill that you are unable to perform properly. This global emergency that none of us have ever faced is a whole different situation and even if you’re not functioning at your usual standard, don’t beat up yourself. The online platform has become the teaching and learning mode globally now. Even though it is an engaging and entertaining platform, it becomes challenging for the young ones to concentrate sometimes. While being friendly with your child and generous to yourself follow these tips to pace up with your role as a parent.
1. Over Parenting
Over Parenting is used for the parents who are not able to see their children failing or making any mistakes. They always want to control things in their children’s life. Interfering in their decision-making, avert them from facing consequences, or preventing any emotional discomfort, are some traits of overprotective parents. Restricting children from doing things can make them irritated. Over protectiveness is not just spoiling a child’s behavior but it can ruin the relationship between you both. Children can tend to hide things from you, avoid conversations or be rude. pandemic has changed many things and children are alone at home. Don’t make them feel lonely and act as a friend rather than a spy.
2. Don’t Make Them Mobile-Friendly:
Pandemic has made all of us dependent on digital devices. From virtual classes to homework submissions, all the activities are taking place via digital gadgets. Gadgets not only affect the health of its user but it makes the user addicted. Children learn things by seeing. You should also understand the need to minimize the use of phones in front of them. After the virtual classes make them do their homework, all by themselves. By this, you can know about how their studies are going as well as the cycle of using phones will break. The use of mobiles is the major cause of eyesight problems.
3. Find Their Hidden Talent:
Even if we are doing our work from home, we have spare time which can be spent with children. Talk to them, answer their query and know their interests, also feel free to be childish. While observing them you got a better view of what excites them. You’ll find his interests and a field in which he excelled. Try different activities at home which will unleash their creativity and engage both of you.
4. Don’t Compare Your Child:
Each child is one of a kind. Never make the mistake of comparing your child with another. This can hurt them deeply. Comparing a child with another can break his self-confidence. While comparing your child you’re blocking the view of qualities that lie within them. Parenting is encouragement over praise. You have to motivate him, train him, support him, to make them a better version of themselves.
5. Know the Reason Behind ‘No’:
when it comes to doing homework, there’s hardly any child who is ready to do it. If homework gives you a headache then try to find out the reason behind it. Is it a ‘will’ problem or ‘skill’ problem? Will problem means, he can do it but doesn’t want to do homework or study. Will problems can be solved by rewarding. Set goals for them and as they complete their work give them what you have promised. While in skill problems there can be different reasons behind it. Less development of their muscles, facing problems in remembering spelling, or lack of confidence. start working on their weak areas and make them confident