Mary Pouline, Author and Founder, Sapience Publications
Parenting with Purpose
Hello, my dear readers.
This is Mary Pouline, here to share some more parenting insights with you. Parenting is no easy task. Raising a child into a responsible and well-mannered adult comes with many challenges. Being a parent means taking on a whole roster of roles. A parent is a role model, a figure of authority, a pillar of support, a nurturing presence, a cook, a teacher, a chauffeur, a friend, and so much more. In this digital age, where time moves at the speed of light and screens outnumber people, parenting needs to evolve as well. Today, let’s try to solve some modern parenting puzzles. For a change, instead of telling you what to do, I’m going to tell you what not to do in good parenting!
Why You Shouldn’t Scold Your Kids before Bedtime?
Do you scold your kids before bed?
If yes, here’s why you might want to stop. It can actually hurt them more than help them. Let me explain why bedtime needs to be calm.
• Bedtime is for Relaxing, Not Stressing
Bedtime is the time to relax, but if you scold your kids, it makes them feel stressed. And when they’re stressed, falling asleep becomes really hard.
• Poor Sleep Affects Their Mood
Kids who don’t sleep well often wake up grumpy. Bad sleep can affect their mood and how they act the next day. According to a Lancet study, children who receive insufficient sleep tend to have more mental health and behavioural challenges than those who get sufficient sleep.
• Bad Feelings Stay Longer at Night
When kids go to bed feeling hurt or scared, those feelings can stick with them. It can affect how they see themselves and even how they trust you.
• Bedtime Should Be About Bonding
Instead of scolding, use bedtime to connect with your children. Read a story, talk about their day, or just give them a hug. It builds trust and makes them feel safe.
• Calm Nights are equivalent to Happy Mornings.
When you end the day on a happy note, your child will wake up feeling good and ready for a new day. So, schedule quiet time for 20 to 30 minutes before bedtime. Keep TV and other distracting electronics out of quiet time. Let’s give our kids happy nights and even better mornings.
Why You Shouldn’t Include Screen Time While Eating?
Are you letting your child watch TV or use the phone while eating? If you think that’s the easiest way to get them to eat, think again! According to research, TV viewing while eating has been related to lower consumption of fruits and vegetables and higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and high-fat/high-sugar foods.
• Why Do Parents Do It?
Mobiles, or TVs seem like the simplest solution to tackle picky eaters. But this habit distracts the kids from being mindful when they eat.
• What Happens When They Watch?
When the child’s focus is solely on the screen, they don’t pay attention to the food they eat. They may eat very slowly or not chew properly. This can affect digestion as they ignore their natural hunger cues.
• It Creates Unhealthy Habits
If your child is fully dependent on mobiles or other screens to eat, it may lead to long term unhealthy habits and a poor relationship with food.
…contd in Aalumai Sirpi Magazine.