Being a mom has its own set of challenges. In fact, according to a 2023 Pew report, more than 30% of mothers say that being a parent is much more complicated than they expected. After all, looking after kids and steering them in the right direction throughout the years can get the best of even the most muscular women. They might start to hate themselves as mothers, which is really harmful to their being.
Nonetheless, these tips on being a good mom will help you raise happy and healthy kids.
1. Make sure your child gets sufficient sleep
Sufficient sleep is essential for the emotional and physical well-being of children and adults. However, the amount of sleep needed changes with age. Children require significantly more sleep than adults.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, newborns (0-3 months) need 14-17 hours of sleep. Infants (4-12 months) need 12-16 hours of sleep, while toddlers (1-2 years) and preschoolers (3-5 years) need 10-14 hours of sleep.
A good mother of a son and daughter knows the importance of sleep; therefore, you must make sure that your kid gets enough sleep for good overall development.
2. Make child safety your priority
Focusing on the safety of little ones is a key part of learning how to be a good mom to a toddler. Toddlers come across several dangers as they learn to move around. Therefore, you must not leave your toddler alone around bathtubs, ponds, pools, sea, etc.
Apart from the above, you should also block stairs with a small fence or gate and lock places like the basement and garage. You can further ensure safety by toddler-proofing your house, keeping kitchen appliances, heaters, scissors, knives, medicines, house cleaners, etc., away from your toddler’s reach.
Moreover, never leave your toddler alone in a vehicle, even for a few minutes.
3. Pay attention to food and diet
To be a better parent, you must understand what foods your kids need rather than just giving them whatever they ask. Instead of sugary drinks, give your child plain milk and water. You also need to understand that while your toddler has begun to eat solid food, they still need breast milk.
Toddlers are usually very picky and erratic eaters. Therefore, to ensure that they eat the right food, offer them a selection of healthy foods and let them pick whatever they want. Keep introducing new foods for your toddler to try and like.
4. Help them learn new words
To learn how to establish a healthy relationship with your daughter and sons, you must help them learn new words. You have to encourage your baby to learn to speak new words. To do so, you can make a habit of reading books with your kid and ask them to name different parts of the body or objects around them.
You can explain how things work to your toddler in simple terms and play follow-the-leader so that they tend to learn quickly. Moreover, helping your toddler improve their vocabulary is also a part of helping them learn new words. For example, when your toddler says ‘dada,’ you can respond with something like, ‘That’s right, he’s daddy.’
5. Allow them to explore
You need to let your child explore. You can take them on a walk or bus ride and point out the things you find along the way. This will encourage your child’s curiosity and improve their ability to recognize common objects.
Kids, especially those with strong spirits, might want to get dressed on their own to feel independent. You should let them do these tasks. While it is essential to supervise your toddler through the activities, it is also important to step back and avoid overmanaging.
Teaching toddlers how to swim or play other sports is also a great way to encourage their sense of exploration while developing their physical health.
6. Let them express themselves
Learning the art of communication is a huge challenge for children as they are not aware of the right ways to express their feelings and thoughts. To encourage your children to express themselves, you must give them opportunities to develop the confidence to speak up. Plus, you should connect with them on a deeper level as a loving mother so they don’t hesitate to tell you about their feelings. You can make them engage with children in smaller groups and tell their favorite stories during family events.
Allow your child to be exposed to unstructured play, which will help them grow as expressive communicators. If you feel your kid is not expressive, you can engage them in activities like drawing, painting, dancing, role-play, etc., to pique their interest in communicating with peers. Alternatively, teaching a toddler to swim is also a good idea.
7. Don’t compare your baby to others
Every baby is different, and so is the parenting style of every mom, which is why you must not compare your baby to others. While some like to keep their baby on a rigid schedule, you may find that going with the flow works the best for your baby. Some prefer to co-sleep with their babies, while others prefer a crib.
So, to learn how to be a better mom, you must understand that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. Therefore, you must not compare your baby or parenting style to others, as what worked for them may not necessarily work for you and your kid.
8. Adopt a flexible parenting style
Never feel let down by your toddler’s behavior; if you do so, you may have unrealistic expectations as a parent. Adopting a flexible parenting style can work in your favor. The environment you provide to your kid defines their behavior, which is why you need to change your parenting style gradually as your child grows.
What works for your child now may be less effective in a few years. That’s why it’s essential to be patient and open to adjusting your approach as your child grows. This balance of consistency and adaptability will help you better respond to their changing needs.