Chiara Rose
For most parents, every time they hop on social media platforms or read parenting magazines, they come across recent fads about pregnancy and raising kids correctly. This explains why most parents, especially first-time parents, feel short of raising their kids, despite giving their all to parenthood. Interestingly, the correct way of raising kids seems constantly changing.
Unfortunately, most parents can’t tell parenting myths from the truth. While some recommend having your kids on tight schedules, others suggest leaving kids to determine their daily course. While some suggest sticking to organic food, others are against reinforcing a diet culture.
New parents should check this website to learn more about parenting. To reduce the confusion, below are a few parenting myths you should know.
1. Something must be wrong if your kids are not happy
Most cultures have a strong emphasis on happiness. As such, most parents start worrying if their kids are not happy in specific situations or sometimes. However, it is very healthy and normal for developing kids to feel highs and lows. Experiencing episodes of happiness and sadness is richer and more real than a homochromous happy life.
Most parents forget that kids are humans, too, with different emotional experiences. Some kids express negative emotions more than others. Regardless, it is healthy for kids to deal with these emotions.
For instance, parents who organize birthday parties for their kids expect them to be happy and excited. However, some kids get nervous in new environments and crowds. Click here for kid-friendly entertainment activities for birthdays.
2. Parents shouldn’t use “no” on their kids
Not telling kids “No” is a trend mostly encouraged by millennial and Gen Z parents. The previous generation of parents was strict and tough on their kids, most probably due to the difficult times. Unlike before, where kids grew up feeling criticized, modern parents believe saying no to their kids is harsh and damaging.
However, this is a myth that most parents should ignore. Setting limits with your kids instills several skills and helps them grow safely. Saying no to your kids is totally fine, but parents shouldn’t use a hostile or overly aggressive tone. The context is also more important than the actual term.
3. The “terrible-twos” is simply a phrase
The “terrible twos” is a common phrase that appears when toddlers develop curiosity and interest in exploring their environments. Unfortunately, kids show their frustrations through tantrums and other unwanted behaviors if adults interfere with this phase. Tantrums and meltdowns experienced in this phase are called “terrible twos” because parents find kids difficult and unpleasant to deal with.
If your child is becoming argumentative, throwing tantrums, or seemingly stubborn, these are signs they are leaning towards assertive personalities and independence. According to pediatricians, children start establishing their identity at 18 months. Parents shouldn’t treat these reactions as acts of rebellion. This phase might be a challenging time, but it is a good indicator of growth.
4. Holding your baby too much spoils them
Most parents believe snuggling or holding their babies too much makes them difficult and downright spoiled. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth, especially in the beginning. There’s nothing like holding or snuggling too much with your newborn. Ideally, positive touch is an excellent way of nurturing your baby.
5. Every bad behavior deserves a consequence
Even the most obedient kids can misbehave occasionally. The idea that you should punish or rescind privileges to your child every time they make a mistake is misguided. If you haven’t established ground rules between you and the child yet, your child isn’t misbehaving.
You can’t hold them against standards that you haven’t established. In some situations, consider having conversations with your kids and give them gentle guidance on why particular behaviors are not encouraged.
Similarly, you shouldn’t reward your kid always for good behavior. Rewarding them every time they do right doesn’t allow them to develop and internalize the important values. Constant rewards curtail your child’s ability to take and process information from within.
6. Sleep training will come naturally
If you think your child will give you cues that they are ready for sleep training, you’ll probably struggle with many more sleepless nights. Sleep training kids is certainly tough, and you should begin early.
Some parents suggest that sleep training is more about how parents are willing to let their kids cry. You will have better chances of successful sleep training with kids between six and seven months. Sleep training kids within this age bracket is easy.
7. Breastfed children are smarter than formula-fed
Some parents breastfeed with the hope of making their children geniuses. Unfortunately, a study that showed that breastfed children have higher IQs than formula-fed children in later life is flawed. Ensuring your baby isn’t hungry should be prioritized more than the bottle’s contents.
You shouldn’t struggle with breastfeeding if your child is starving because you don’t have enough milk. Read more about formulas here.
8. Disagreeing in front of your child is traumatizing
You shouldn’t be worried if you quarrel with your significant other in front of your child. While some types of violence, yelling, and name-calling are traumatic to children, respectful arguments and discussions in the presence of your child can be fruitful.
Kids grow healthily when exposed to calm disagreements. It helps children learn better problem-solving skills, negotiation, and the importance of respecting other people’s perspectives.
9. Your marriage will suffer when raising kids
Parenting is certainly time-consuming, and most new parents find themselves neglecting their marriages. The early stages of parenting can easily lead partners in separate ways. Unfortunately, some couples don’t survive this phase. Most people reduce their communication and only communicate when resolving a conflict. Others engage in individual activities, making the marriage one-dimensional.
Most mothers focus overly on parenting, ignoring intimacy and friendship. Children learn how to maintain close relationships by watching their parents. Parents need to nurture their connection even during this pressing parenting stage.
Parents should regularly touch and complement each other or pick enjoyable activities that involve everyone. This website has some interesting pranks for family time.
Endnote
There is a plethora of regularly changing do’s and don’ts that guide parenting. While parenting is difficult, these myths can help parents improve their parenting approaches. However, the ultimate guide to good parenting is ensuring you remain engaged with your kids, partner, and yourself.