8 Key Qualities Every Great Parent Must Have

Ineh Olisah

It’s no surprise that we all want to get parenting right to earn fulfillment and perhaps, accolades about how our children turned out, however, we find facilitating this doesn’t come on a platter of gold. We serve you some sterling qualities you should have to steer the wheel in the right direction.

1. Intuition: A good dose of intuition is necessary in every parent to be successful as this propels you towards following little leads that bring you to the bigger picture. As a parent, there were a good number of times that I could know certain things about my children. You’ve got to listen to that little voice inside you when faced with a situation that defies logic or reasoning, especially when your children are too little to speak or communicate how they feel or exactly what they want. Pay attention to your gut-feeling when it concerns your child, you might just be saving your child’s future.

2. Listening and Communicating: “Mum, dad, you are not listening to me.” How many times have you heard that expression from your child? Somehow, children know that listening is not the same as hearing. You might be hearing but not paying attention. Listening is understanding and acting on what is being said. It also involves paying attention to your child’s body language and what she is trying hard not to say. Not only are children distressed when they feel or realize that their parents are not listening or paying attention to them, they also feel less important. This could have grave consequences as it can push them to search for a listening hear in the wrong places. Everyone has a voice and wants to be heard, so does your child. Sometimes, that’s all you have to do, listen! Listening facilitates effective communication which is one important recipe for every successful relationship.

3. Discipline: A disciplined parent is firm and will most likely raise a disciplined child. Discipline isn’t only about punishing your child. It is laying down rules, nurturing, teaching, training and directing your children to follow laid down rules. A disciplined child is a confident child, which is a key ingredient in becoming successful and happy. People love and admire disciplined children. A disciplined child is trained to have self control and shows restrain when the situation calls for it. A child who behaves appropriately and obeys rules is less likely to get into trouble or end up in jail than a child who does much the opposite. But first, it must start with you as a parent.

4. Ability To Express Love and Affection: Action, they say, speaks louder than words, so the ability to show your children that you love them, in spite of what they do or who they are is crucial. That love you have for your child has to be positively expressed. Loving your children involves spending time with them, showing a great deal of interest in the things that matter to them and paying attention to their needs. Love is not only about providing for them, it is also about doing things together with them, putting their emotional needs first before yours. This will not only create sweet memories but opportunities for bonding together as a family. Love for your children should be accompanied by affection. A great parent should be affectionate, so kiss and hug your children generously.

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5. Mentoring and Role Modelling: You are your child’s first hero and role model. Most times, young children like to be like mum or dad. They look up to you for guidance and direction which makes you their first mentor and role model. Model the kind of character you want your children to emulate. They do what they see you do and not just what they hear you say. Again, action speaks louder than words. Mentoring is a deliberate act to inspire them to be the best they can in all facets.

6. Accessibility: You are your child’s parent, not your child’s boss, so there has to be free interaction characterized by mutual respect between you. Your kids need to feel they can talk to you, play, share jokes, watch a movie, have fun dates, feel at ease and be themselves with you, so you always have to make yourself available by dedicating quality time to be part of it all, hectic work routine or not. Be approachable, they should be able to let down their guard whenever around you.

7. Patience: No parent can really get enough of this, you just have to keep working on not losing your cool when they endlessly test boundaries, so you can form a better informed perspective on handling issues.

8. Sensitivity and flexibility: You must be able to identify each child’s uniqueness, weaknesses and strengths and employ approaches that suit and affirm each child to bring out the best in them. You should be able to keep discovering and modifying several effective parenting techniques to suit your parenting objectives as well as your child’s unique personality.

Review your parenting goals and objectives as far as each child is concerned to unwrap other essentials you need to facilitate overall parenting success which only comes through continued dedicated efforts no matter the odds along the way.