While we know no mother needs to be taught how to be a good mother, we also acknowledge how difficult the task of raising a child is. It takes blood and sweat to raise a child to be a good human being. It also requires a lot of effort and plenty of sacrifices to give your children an upbringing and a life you have dreamt for them. However, no matter how tiring and stressful parenting is, it is extremely beautiful and the most rewarding job on earth. Read this post as we share some tips on being the best version of yourself under the challenges that motherhood throws at you every day. You might be already doing them and if not, try to implement them to make your mothering journey easier and more fulfilling.
How To Be A Good Mother: 21 Ways
Have a look at the following tips on how to be a good mother. Remember, the aim is not to seek perfection but to find ways to strengthen the parent–child relationship.
1. Stop comparing yourself to other moms
Your fellow moms may be doing an outstanding job taking care of their children and managing household chores, but it does not mean your efforts are lacking in any way. Every mother has her way of raising children, and you should not compare yourself with anyone else. Instead, be happy and take pride in the fact that you are giving motherhood your best shot. You also have no idea what happens behind closed doors, so don’t compare your worst days to what people present on social media or what they present on their best days.
2. Take care of yourself
Women work hard to give their families the best of everything. In the process, they sometimes tend to ignore their physical and mental well-being. Do you often prioritize everything else over yourself that you end up getting sick and feeling disappointed? You should learn to give yourself time to look after your mental and physical well-being. Remember, a healthy and cared for mother means a healthy child.
3. Seek help whenever required
If you restrict yourself to your house to ensure you are always there for your child, you will eventually get tired and start feeling grumpy and irritated. Instead, take the help of the people around you. Look out for a good babysitter or ask your spouse to look after your baby so you can spend some “me time.”
4. Step out of the house
Whenever you get the opportunity, step out of the house to breathe in some fresh air. Soak up the sun and get a healthy dose of vitamin D. You could take your child for a regular stroll in the park and try to make new friends with other moms. If nothing else, having interaction with other adults can be meaningful and helpful. These little efforts will help lift your mood and place you in a better position to look after your children.
5. Do not aim for perfection
Do you work day in and out for your children but still feel you are not doing enough? Stop being so hard on yourself and look at it from your child’s perspective. They are not concerned about how well you do things for them but instead crave the love and care you shower upon them. Your warmth is what they need and will remember for years to come.
6. Maintain a parallel self-focused life
A new mommy may need to be there for her child at all times in the initial weeks or months. However, if your children are old enough to be ok without you around them, try to connect with your friends. Remember that you have to be there for yourself too. You can indulge in a hobby or try a new one. Do anything that makes you happy. It is also okay to hire a babysitter in case you have to do something for yourself.
7. Develop a sense of humor
Once you become a mother, your life changes drastically. You will experience moments when everything may seem chaotic beyond control. In such times, having a good sense of humor will help you look at things from a different perspective. Seeing the funny side of things can make situations less stressful and more manageable.
8. Be patient with your child
Dealing with children is not easy regardless of their age. Their exploration of the world around them might cause you inconvenience, but you have to deal with them patiently. Screaming at them or meting out harsh punishments can hamper their growth. Try to calmly make them see and understand the inappropriateness of their actions, so they do not repeat them. It’s hard, but it can be helpful to remember when they are melting down, they aren’t trying to give you a hard time, they are having a hard time managing their own emotions.
9. Make sweet memories for your child
Expensive toys or lavish birthday parties are not what makes your child happy. Children may not understand the significance of a heavy price tag, but they surely know how to enjoy a good moment and find happiness in the smallest of things. Focus on making sweet memories that your child will fondly remember for life.
10. Communicate with your child
Good communication is crucial for a healthy relationship with your children. Have frequent and open talks with your children to make them comfortable enough to confide in you. Your children should be able to speak to you about any topic.
11. Pay attention to all your children
If you have more than one child, it is imperative that you give each of them undivided attention. Allot time for each child, and during this allotted time, sit and talk to them. They may not be great at communicating their needs and feelings, but you could still ask them about their school and friends and other topics. Ensure you are aware of the things happening in their life.
12. Do not feel offended by your child’s bad behavior
If your child acts rude or talks back to you, do not feel offended by it. Instead, try to find out the reason behind their behavior. There is always some reason behind a child’s change in behavior. Talk to them and try to identify the underlying cause that is triggering their unruly behavior.
13. Be firm with discipline
Disciplining children from a young age is extremely crucial. You do not have to resort to punishments each time your child disobeys you – you can correct their behavior with love too. Try to explain to them the difference between good and bad. But when you have no option but to mete out consequences for their misdoings, do it according to the mistake they made. Do not mete out harsh punishment for a minor mistake and vice versa.
14. Be approachable
Children need a lot of guidance and support from their parents. But if they are afraid of speaking to you, they will feel lonely as they have to deal with their problems alone. Be the mother who children feel free to talk to. Let them feel that you have their back and will protect them from any harm.
15. Share your feelings with them
At times, life’s challenges will get the better of you and make you feel tired and frustrated. But do not take it out on your child. They may not understand what you may be going through, so explain to them in simple terms. Make them understand why you cannot give them the attention they crave at the moment.
16. Accept your child’s individuality
Every child has their own unique personality. As a parent, you have to help nurture it. Do not force them to fulfill your unrealized dreams, but instead encourage them to have dreams and goals of their own and guide them towards those.
17. Encourage their hobbies and skills
If your child shows interest in a certain hobby, skill, or art, encourage them to take it up. Even if they show interest in a field that may not be to your liking, support them and assure them that you are proud of their efforts. And when they do a good job, do not forget to let them know how happy and proud you are of their achievements.
18. Do not put undue pressure on them
As a mother, you may have certain dreams for your child. But do not be disheartened if your child’s dreams do not align with yours. Never put pressure on your child to do something they are not comfortable doing. Pushing them toward something they have no interest in can hamper their confidence and make them resentful towards you.
19. Tell them it is ok to fail
Children may not be able to take failure easily. And in such a situation, if you deride them for their lack of success, it can cause irreparable damage to their self-esteem. Instead, tell them their effort, and not the result, matters to you. Make them understand that failure is an integral part of life and doesn’t define a person.
20. Be respectful to your child
Never make the mistake of mocking or belittling your child. It can damage their self-esteem. Instead, listen attentively to what they have to share with you. Treat them not just with love but also respect. This will help you lay the foundation of a healthy relationship.
21. Admit and apologize for your mistakes
When teaching your children the importance of admitting one’s mistake, lead by example. On making a mistake, admit it in front of them and also apologize for it there is no age too young for this. This way, you can let them know that apologizing does not make anyone small.
Keeping track of several things More responsibilities Work overload Having to sacrifice interests to fulfill the needs of children Going through mom guilt occasionally
Find triggers and look for a solution. Create a routine that your family members can follow. Keep aside dedicated time for yourself. Laugh more and stay involved with your children. Don’t try to be perfect. Accept life is supposed to be imperfect. Choose to be graceful rather than angry.
