Want to be a more patient parent? Lots of parents do. Raising children is tough. Yes, it’s rewarding. Yes, it’s amazing. It’s also challenging. If you struggle with patience, you’re not the only one. Don’t be too hard on yourself. If you want some more patience as a parent, then start with these 5 tips below. Take it one step at a time, and don’t forget to have some patience for yourself, too.
Hear Your Child
When it comes to having patience as a parent, the most important step is listening. Your child wants to know that you hear them and are paying attention to them. Crouch down to your child’s level and ask them what’s bothering them. Listen, make eye contact, and repeat a few words or phrases to let them know that you’re listening. When you listen to your child, they’ll be more likely to listen to you. They’ll know that you respect and understand them.
Try Some Redirections
Every once in a while, your child will need redirecting. Maybe they’re having a tantrum, or maybe you just need to get them away from a very noisy toy. In any case, redirecting helps. Try to pull your child’s attention to something quiet and simple. Try “Hey, do you want to color?” or “How tall can you make this tower?”
Set Small Goals
Like we said, you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself. Remember that you won’t develop patience as a parent overnight. It takes practice and repetition. Don’t try to change everything immediately. Instead, set small goals for yourself. Focus on one area that could use some more patience. Is it your morning routine? Getting your children to clean up their toys? Identify that one area, and then look for baby steps that can help you use more patience. Once you’ve solidified one habit, you can move on to another one. The simpler the goal, the more likely it is that the goal will stick.
Don’t Forget Your Own Needs
Parents often forget their own needs. While you’re tending to your children, don’t forget that you have needs, too. You need nutrition, sleep, some quiet time, and socialization with other adults. Some parents feel selfish when they do things for themselves. If you’re one of those parents, then think of it this way: The more you take care of yourself, the more energy you’ll have for your children.
Again, it helps to think in baby steps. What is one thing that you can do to take care of yourself? No idea is too small. Try to turn that one thing into a regular habit, and then choose another one to add to your self-care repertoire.
Get Some Extra Help
There’s no shame in calling in some extra help. Maybe you could get a babysitter once a week so that you can see a movie. Maybe you could enroll your child in a great preschool so that you can work alone throughout the week. Preschool makes a great choice for a lot of families. Not only will you have some extra childcare help, but your child will also gain a solid foundation of skills for kindergarten and beyond. Furthermore, your child will develop social skills, make new friends, and gain some independence.
Patience as a Parent
Looking for more tips on developing patience as a parent? For childcare and parenting tips, keep returning to this blog. For the best preschool in Sugarloaf, join us here at Legacy Academy. At Legacy, we provide an excellent childcare environment where your preschooler can learn new skills through play. Want to learn more? Contact us today. We’d be delighted to hear from you.
