We can all agree that saying ‘No’ can be very challenging, but what is even more difficult is saying ‘No’ to your own child. Children often employ various techniques to get their way, but as parents, it is our responsibility to stand our ground. Understanding that saying ‘no’ will benefit the child in the long run is the first step toward healthy parenting.
Limit Setter:
Saying no to your child is a way of setting limits. While parents try to fulfil most of their child’s wishes, there has to be a limit to everything. Sometimes, a child needs to grasp the concept of money and the fact that it is not infinite. Even when affordability is not a factor, there need to be boundaries to a child’s demands.
Be firm:
It does not matter if your child is 3 or 13; they need to understand that parents are their well-wishers and would never say no without a reason. It is important to use ‘No’ only when it’s necessary. Another crucial point is to ignore the attention around a child’s misbehaviour, as this can exacerbate unwanted behaviour. The more we try to pacify the child during misbehaviour, the less likely they will listen to correct themselves. Be firm, let them know your disappointment, and ignore as long as there is no threat of injury to the child.
Best Friend:
Becoming your child’s best friend is every parent’s dream, but that does not mean you have to cave in to every demand your kid makes. Agreeing to everything your child wants will set them up with unrealistic expectations for the future. Survival in the real world is not easy, and the child will have to learn it the hard way when they are out of their parent’s protection.
As parents, it is our responsibility to prepare our kids to face the world. Saying ‘No’ can be a guiding tool to shape your naive child into a healthy adult. Go ahead, try saying ‘No’ for a change.
