Nurturing Care for Life
How do we raise great kids; how can we guide them as they leave babyhood behind? How can we maintain the wonderful bond we form with our babies? How can we create nurturing care for life?
Famous child psychiatrist Fritz Redl used to say to groups of parents: "I am going to tell you the three most important things you will ever need to know about raising children - example, example, example." Our actions speak louder than our words. We best succeed in raising kind, decent, thoughtful, curious kids when we ourselves set the example on how to be a kind, decent, thoughtful, curious person. Sometimes it's as simple as saying "please" and "thank you" to others, to demonstrate common courtesy in action. Sometimes it means picking up a book or newspaper instead of turning on the television, to show our children that there are others ways to be entertained.
You also teach by example when you adopt healthy habits for yourself - in diet, skincare and physical fitness. When you eat right, take care of yourself and establish a daily routine of personal hygiene, your child can see first-hand the benefits of doing so and is more likely to adopt the same healthy habits.
Show your child how to communicate well, and you'll give him or her an invaluable tool for life. This can be done in the simplest of ways - for instance, by eating dinner together to regroup and communicate at the end of the day. But communication is not just talk. Good communication can also be a hug, to say "I'm proud of you; you're great." We often reserve our hugging for babies only, but touch remains an important way to connect with your child throughout his growing years. Give him a hug at bedtime or when he arrives home from school. Curl up on the couch together.
Parent-child bonding continues beyond the baby years - it grows and evolves as your child's skills grow and evolve. By teaching by example, by establishing good communication and by staying in touch with your child's needs, you help deepen the bond you created with your baby. You set the groundwork for health and happiness. You create nurturing care for life.
