All kids make mistakes. They could be unintentional or deliberate, but how we respond makes a difference. It is an important skill that parents have to learn while raising their kids.
Often, kids make blunders and they are inevitable. Your child may have hit his younger brother in a fit of rage or dropped a cup of milk or orange juice on the carpet. Your kid may have misplaced his books and told a lie to hide it.
Though such activities are annoying, the way you react affects your child deeply, emotionally as well as psychologically.
You can start disciplining your child quite early. For instance, if your toddler starts doing things like biting or tearing off the newspapers or throwing the mobile phone on the floor, or pulling off your glasses even after you tell him not to do it. These are the moments when you can gently begin by correcting your child.
As your kid understands his mistakes, you may start giving him more independence. With your support, your kid may bounce back and start feeling more confident. As he grows, your kid may become resourceful and realize that he is adept at resolving difficulties on his own.
As parents, avoid punishing your kids as they start thinking of the consequences rather than their behaviour. Your kid may also be unable to develop empathy and social awareness.
You have to convey the right message to your kid when he makes a mistake. Here are some ways that parents can respond to their kids’ mistakes:
It Could Be Accidental
Kids are unpredictable. For instance, they may drop their dinner plate on the floor while serving themselves or spill a bowl of oatmeal while having breakfast. The reason for the slip-ups could be various.
As a parent, you may feel frustrated and angry with your kid. Try to remain patient and calm as far as possible. Remind yourself that the mistake was just an accident and that your kid was only trying to be independent.
Let Your Child Calm Down
Allow your child to calm down after he makes a mistake as he may get upset. Your kid may need some time and space to ponder over his behaviour.
As a parent, help your kid to realize that mistakes are normal and that we all make errors. As soon as he calms down, you can point out the mistake to him. Avoid reacting much over the matter. Show some compassion to your kid. Soothe your child with some gentle words to help him get over the incident.
Express Appreciation
You can show gratitude to your child for letting you know what happened. Be thankful to him for telling you the truth. It will help your child feel comfortable to tell his mistakes to you.
Your kid may feel confident to express what had happened during the day and may realize that being honest with parents is better than concealing things and getting into problems. Your kid may also be convinced to seek your help whenever he is in trouble or needs your support. It will help your kid not to develop a fear of failure.
Clarify The Errors
After your child makes a mistake, calmly help your child understand his errors. Explain to him that he has made some mistakes that need to be fixed.
For instance, if he has scattered the toys on the floor, help your child know that he has to clear up the mess. React positively so that you can use the moment to not punish the kid but help your child learn from his faults.
Teach Him To Apologize
Encourage your child to say sorry after he makes a mistake. As a parent, you may ask your child to describe what had happened and help him to acknowledge his blunders. Your kid may accept responsibility and confess his part for the slip-ups he has committed.
As your kid expresses his guilt, you can take reassurance from him not to repeat the mistake. Thank your kid earnestly when he attempts to resolve his mistake. Hug him and express your gratefulness to him when your child feels sorry for what he had done.
Help Your Child Learn From A Mistake
You can embrace the mistakes of your kid and encourage your child to take responsibility for it. Help your kid to learn instead of blaming others.
As a parent, avoid scolding or warning your kid. Teach your child not to feel ashamed of his mistakes. Your kid may gradually learn and know what to do and not do in the future and curb his emotions like frustration, anxiety, and guilt.
Soon, your kid will begin to have confidence in his abilities and develop positive emotional skills, he will make effort, learn and succeed in all situations.
Prevent Mistakes and forgive your kid
Though mistakes are inevitable, you may forgive your kid and try to move on. Be mindful of your response and avoid reacting aggressively. Let your child know it’s okay to make mistakes. Make sure that your kid forgives himself too.
As a parent, you may also help your child to put a stop to his mistakes in the first place. For instance, you can keep expensive items out of reach of your children or remove the glass cups from their play zone. You may pull the kids away from each other when they begin to play violently, or start making blunders. You may channelise them towards more age-appropriate activities. Such precautions on your part may help kids to avoid making mistakes in the first place.
Show Your Love
Try to demonstrate your love to your kid when he makes a mistake. Show him that you are proud as a parent for his determination and courage to deal with his blunders. Praise your child as often as you can for helping to resolve his own mistakes.
Mistakes can be positive, and we can help our kids learn from them. With our honesty and unconditional love, kids will learn to believe in themselves despite their mistakes. It will motivate them to try, learn and achieve all their goals!
Please leave your valuable inputs in the comments.
Leave a Reply