Everybody has heard people say that parenting is the best and most coveted job in the world, and because it the best job there is a lot of demand that is placed in the job. Every parent has their own definition of perfect parenting, the dos and the donts.
Unlike parents of back in the day, today parents are sharing their parenting skills left to right and centre in a bid to help one another right children in the right manner. No parent wants their child to go astray.
Wahu Kagwi, a well-known artist has shared her information on how she is or probably likely to raise her girls Tumiso Nyakwea and Nyakio Mathenge. In her Instagram post, she unveiled her new parenting cheat sheet she found.
According to Wahu’s Secret Formula, the kind of love you give is all dependent on the age of your child and what they require from you at a particular age.
1. From 0-5 years
At this tender age what a child needs is eye contact and attention. So when they call you to look at something look at them and say something about what they are showing you.
Another thing that should be given in abundance is smiles, hugs and kisses, please this is not onl a mom’s thing fathers are also required to do this even to boys. Yes is it is a stage and it will pass so just do it.
The parents should also spear time for play time, it is very important. Not forgteting about nurturing and loving your munchin.
2. From 6-9 years
At this age, the key thing is to deeply participate and or getting involved in what your baby is doing. If it is singing the kindergarten songs or painting with them or involving them in your house chores like washing dishes, going shopping.
The idea is letting them taste your world as you taste theirs, more of becoming partners. Let their new discoveries also know to you, allow them to teach you some things, as you teach them your new things.
In the spirit teaching one another it is at this point you will be able to teach your kids when to listen and when to talk through you. You should let them learn this through you. When you listen to them when they want to talk they will do the same when you want them to listen to you.
And of course play time is still a factor at this age, they aren’t grown up yet.
3. From 10-12 years
It is at this age where you should start teaching your children responsibilities, you don’t want to keep flushing your kids’ poop until they are 18yrs of age. This is where you can start teaching them of their hygienic responsibilities, social responsibilities and all responsibilities there is.
Please note, we did not say you leave all responsibilities to them, the key thing is teaching them. And in teaching them it means guiding and supporting them through the responsibilities until they finally get it.
It is at this age that you will be singing the same song every day, “why aren’t the dishes washed? or why is the dog house not cleaned?” don’t get upset they are still not used to the idea.
It is at this point where you need to come up with rules and regulations that govern your family and you should explain to the tot’s why you came up with the particular rules. You can make it fun by involving them but don’t forget that you are the parent.
Oh and don’t forget that when you make the rules you too have to keep them. it’s called living by example. Children take note and they will question you if you don’t keep your end of the bargain.
4. From 13 – 18 years
This is the most sensitive age, I tell you. These are kinds that are controlled with their emotions and hormones. You do not want them to hate you because they will do everything they know you do not like. At this age all children want respect and independence.
Its about ‘give and take’, you respect them they respect you. For the sake of sanity, you are required to create guidelines but not rules.
At this age debates and discussions are allowed, this way you can come to an agreement and also know how you baby is thinking, that way you can easily beat them at their own thinking….. interesting, right?
At this age, strive to be your baby’s mentor that way they will even ask you for direction when they get stuck somewhere instead of running to the wrong company. Be their friend, there go to person.
When they confide in you don’t yell at them talk to them like a peer, talk t them and let them make their own decision. That way you will save your kids from wrong kind of advice and wrong company. Once a kid knows you trust them they will ensure they hold it up.