And I am still learning thus making silly mistakes and learning from them.
No one is perfect when it comes to parenting or anything for that matter.
I have attained a few diplomas relating to early childhood. I have read various books books pertaining to child rearing.
I can handle more than 10 kids without any signs of difficulty in school.
But yet, when it comes to bringing up your own child, despite the years of experience and knowledge gained, you might also face a dead end at times.
No one is perfect when it comes to parenting or anything for that matter.
I have attained a few diplomas relating to early childhood. I have read various books books pertaining to child rearing.
I can handle more than 10 kids without any signs of difficulty in school.
But yet, when it comes to bringing up your own child, despite the years of experience and knowledge gained, you might also face a dead end at times.
Reena has been shouting continuously and unnecessarily. It drives us (my husband especially) up the wall.
She screams for attention, food, play and the list goes on.
I get a couple of stares from the public when she screams. I even had feedbacks saying that I should spank her to keep her quiet. Some even extended their personal opinions across that I have been pampering her too much hence, her behaviour.
All these overwhelming responses plunged me into questioning my very own self; "Am I a bad mother? Have I been too soft on Reena? Are my parenting skills insufficient?"
The answer to all these questions lie within those thick books that I have been reading but have been forgotten.
1. Understanding the situation.
Reading back again helps to understand the situation better.
According to Nina Louie, your toddler's volume is turned way up not because she means to annoy you, but because she's full of that wonderful toddler joie de vivre. She's exploring the power of her voice, and experimenting with what she can do with it.
2. Find a solution to the situation.
I have been playing whispering games with Reena (I have been doing this all along with my students) and it seems to be working. Reena is lowering her voice to match mine.
Another rule of early childhood is to ignore undesired behaviour. When she starts whining and screaming for something, you either provide her with an item before she starts or ignore when she starts. I only listened when Reena whispered along with me.
3. Self-Control
Perhaps by far, the hardest to achieve. Imagine a screaming toddler and a crying baby. At the same time.
Any normal human being would lose their cool and snap. We would give up at the first cry and just give them whatever they want as long as they hush.
However, I need to put this flat across my mind that I am a parent. And this is what a parent MUST do. To in still good behaviour is never easy.
4. Ignore nasty comments.
I welcome feedbacks. I really do. Some people can provide me with really cool advices, such as ways to take care of their oral hygiene at such a young age or things to not consume to avoid phlegm.
But what to not heed are comments that you as a parent know, does not benefit your child in any way. Such as spanking, inserting chillies inside their mouths when they shout. (For god's sake she is an infant!)
5. Stay positive
Words really put me down. Especially when I am blamed for not "bringing up my child properly"
The only person who can cheer yourself up is you. By how you look at things.
Try not to think of the things that she needs work at but rather at the things she has achieved.
I like to rewind memories of Reena's cheeky smiles and laughter when she does something. She recently tried to jump. (At this developmental milestone, they can't really coordinate that well to jump)
Let this be a chant to ease your mind off things.
Personally, I believe a perfect parent does not exist but a parent who learns and tries their best to educate their children well is close to perfect.
