It is important that your kids feel safe and loved in their own home. Creating a nurturing home environment is the best way to do this. This post lists seven tips on how to create a nurturing environment for your kids.
Develop a healthy routine
A routine provides stability and the comfort of knowing what is happening next. Without any routine, kids may feel that their lives are out of their control. A routine also gets kids into the habit of independently looking after themselves – they will find comfort in brushing their teeth before bed and washing themselves daily. Kids without this routine are more likely to grow up feeling it’s okay to neglect these basic needs.
Spend quality time with your kids
It is important that you are spending quality time with your kids and not just providing the basic essentials. This includes taking time out to play with them and talk to them and teach them fun things. Your kids will feel loved and you will develop a stronger relationship that will ultimately encourage them to trust you and confide in you more.
Give them their own space
As much as kids need attention, they also occasionally need their own space. If you have lots of kids, it is important that individual kids still have their own space to retreat to and their own belongings. Kids may have to share a bedroom, but they should have their own bed and their own toys. Do not force kids to share everything and constantly play with siblings.
Practice random acts of kindness
Random acts of kindness can show your kids that you voluntarily care about their happiness. This includes providing them with surprise treats and complimenting them without being prompted. Such behavior may also encourage your kids to do the same to others.
Buy the right toys
A lot of parents spoil their kids with all kinds of toys that they do not need. Try to be selective about which toys you buy. Consider toys that are educational or that are truly likely to get played with. This toy fun for toddlers guide details a few great toys for toddlers.
Support their passions and interests
If kids have a clear passion or interest, you should help to nurture this by offering encouragement and providing the right tools to help them develop this passion. Do not steer kids away from passions and interests just because they do not appeal to you. Your child is their own person and they may decide to listen to music you do not like, support sports that you’re not into or prefer certain subjects in school. As long as their interests aren’t harmful, there is no reason why they cannot pursue them.
Set necessary boundaries
Of course, you cannot give your kid everything they want, as this teaches kids to be takers who are never willing to make sacrifices for others. Therefore a nurturing environment must have boundaries. This includes teaching kids to understand the word ‘no’, teaching kids patience and having clear rules around the house to protect them and teach them responsibility. This post delves more into creating structure without being too strict.
