There’s no such thing as a perfect parent, and you shouldn’t have to be because you’re only human. Your flaws, imperfections, life experiences, and the values you hold are what make you who you are, so don’t be afraid to show that to your children.
Instead, show them just how warm you can be because they need it to grow into the person they’re going to become. Here are three ways you can provide them with the kind of warmth that they need to survive in this cold, unforgiving world:
Physical Warmth
A loving home is always warm, not just because there’s a lit-up fireplace to provide the necessary heat. Homes are warm because there are warm bodies inside them — the different family members living inside them. That’s why empty houses are always perceived as cold, barren, and devoid of love.
But aside from the warmth that’s coming off in waves from the family, houses need to be warm because it’s how they stay healthy and fight off various diseases. A home should have the right furnace that provides ample warmth to the entire household, especially in the cold winter months.
You can also consider insulating your house, which is a smart move if you want to reduce your electricity consumption and lower your energy bills. Additionally, it can be a good practice to pass onto your children when it’s time for them to have their own families and houses.
Emotional Warmth
Every person needs a safe place where they can be. There’s no need for pretenses and keeping up facades as a show of strength. In this safe space, they can be vulnerable, weak, and emotional without having to compromise their usual perky persona. And this should be found inside a loving home.
As a parent, you owe it to your children to be their safe space, especially because the world is filled with negativity and toxicity. When your children are outside, you won’t be able to shield them from all the bad things they can be exposed to, which is all the more reason to be their safe space at home.
So, don’t be afraid to teach them how to handle their emotions. Teach them that it’s perfectly normal to cry when they’re sad or even when they’re happy. Tell them that crying is not a sign of weakness but strength. And show them that failing is an option because it’s how they can learn to be strong on their own two feet.
Allow your children to talk about their feelings and try to do the same. Provide them with the warmth they need to build their emotional intelligence so that they can learn how to control their emotions. Don’t let your children become emotionally constipated adults who can’t talk about their feelings because they never had the chance to.
Social Warmth
Human beings are social animals. Social interactions are ingrained in the human DNA, theoretically. That’s why everyone needs to learn how to interact with other people while they’re growing up. As a parent, you have to allow your children to participate in situations where they can socially interact with other kids without constantly being by your side.
Understandably, you may want to remove the hurdles in your children’s path because you want to shield them from hardships. However, that’s exactly what they need to grow into morally sound and sensible adults. They have to learn how to navigate these hardships when they’re young so that they’ll know what to do when you’re no longer around to help them out.
But that doesn’t mean you should leave them to fend for themselves. Instead, try to find the balance between giving them enough independence and being their support system. This way, you won’t have to struggle with power plays, scream matches, rebellions, and teenage angst when the time comes.
Give your children the opportunity to be with their friends, explore relationships, and discover who they are outside of your shadow. Allow them to be their own person who can make their own decisions but remind them that they can still approach you if they need help, guidance, or even just an ear to listen to their rants.
You don’t have to be a perfect parent to raise wonderful children, especially because perfection is overrated. Rather than try to achieve perfection, aim to be a parent who tries their best at all times. Don’t be afraid to change your wrong mindsets, apologize for your mistakes, and promise to do better the next time. After all, you’re only human; the important thing is that you don’t stop growing.
