Love is the answer

I sincerely believe that love is one of the most important gifts we can provide to a child, and it's essential that we express this love openly and consistently. It's crucial to understand that showing love involves more than just giving in to a child's every desire. Setting reasonable boundaries is equally important; without these limits, we risk unintentionally spoiling our children. The love a child feels while in the womb and throughout their early life forms the foundation for a kid's ability to love others in the future.

As parents, we really need to pay attention to how we talk, especially when our little ones are around. They pick up so much from what they see and hear. Instead of shouting or arguing, we should communicate calmly and respectfully.

Encouraging healthy discussions where both parents share their thoughts and listen to one another teaches children valuable lessons about dialogue. When disagreements arise, it's important to show that you can share different opinions without getting angry. This helps kids learn about empathy and how to resolve conflicts. This supportive environment not only reinforces their sense of security but also equips them with essential life skills for their future relationships.

Saying 'I Love You' is not enough. Show your love. Being a good parent requires significant effort and time. Raising children is a long-term commitment. We show love not by buying expensive toys but by spending quality time with our kids.

Be there for real. My biggest mistake as a parent was not being fully mentally present while spending time with my daughter. At that time, when she was about four years old, she could sense that I wasn't listening to her with my full attention. I struggled to be present because my worries always took over. My anxiety led me to seek help from a professional. Looking back, I regret not doing so sooner. I feel as though I missed many of my daughter's smiles and hugs because I was absent-minded. However, I’m glad I managed to break free from the cycle of anxiety, which allowed my relationship with my daughter to become much stronger and more fulfilling.

Dance, sing, and laugh. Dance with your children, listen to your favorite music, and sing your favorite songs. Laugh together, tell jokes, be free to do silly things, and make up funny stories. This way, you will teach them how to experience joy.

Build a trusting relationship with the child. For me, this is a top priority. My guiding principle is: "Always tell everything to Mom, and don't be afraid of the consequences." If a child knows that the "consequence" will only involve a conversation - the kid will feel more comfortable to confide in parents. It’s crucial to let your child know that everyone makes mistakes and that nobody is perfect. Children need support and guidance to help them learn from their errors.

Have fun at the weekend. Joint activities don't have to be costly. A picnic is enough. Simply pack a sandwich for each family member, fill the bicycle basket with water, and ride to the nearest park.

Play board games with the children.

When the weather is bad, my family's favorite activities are playing board games like Wingspan, Splendor, Catan, 7 Wonders, and Ticket to Ride. Board games are a wonderful way for families to spend quality time together. Those fun games not only create pleasant memories but also help children learn important life skills, like accepting failure and being persistent. It's heartwarming to see them grow through these experiences, as they discover that every loss can be a stepping stone toward future victories.

Play board games with the children

Read together. Reading to toddlers is a habit that many parents adopt. However, once their child starts school and learns to read independently, this practice often fades away. It doesn't have to be this way, though. You can continue reading together, side by side, with your school-age child. This is a wonderful way to bond and spend time together. For more information on this topic, see the blog post: “Well done is better than well said.”

It's important to explore and nurture your child's talents together. Remember, there will be some detours along the way, and that's perfectly okay! Mistakes are part of the process, and you shouldn't expect to discover your child's talents right away.

For instance, my child has shown a talent for mathematics. We noticed this as early as first grade, and now, in fifth grade, we are still fostering that talent.

However, there have been sidetracks. When my daughter was three and a half years old, she watched the cartoon *Leap! (Ballerina)* and wanted to become a ballerina. I enrolled her in ballet school, where she stayed until she was seven, at which point she decided to stop. I supported her in that decision.

After ballet, she tried Aikido but gave it up by the age of ten. I felt a little sad about this, although I tried not to show it.

Nevertheless, she was also practicing tennis, and since she could choose between the two activities, it felt okay when she decided to stop Aikido. Tennis remained her focus.

Now, at eleven, she's taking extra math lessons to nurture her talent and continues with tennis training.

That feels like a good balance.

It's crucial to avoid overburdening a child with too many obligations, as every child needs time to relax and simply do nothing.

In today’s world, with countless options for educational activities, it’s essential to be mindful about not overwhelming them.

As with everything in life, balance is key.

Finding balance is important

It is important to leave children free time!

Love is listening to your child's needs, even if you make mistakes together. You should not run away from mistakes; they are integral to life.