How to help your child get a great start in life

If you’re a parent, your children’s welfare is no doubt on top of your list of priorities but if your name isn’t James Packer, just thinking about how to give them a great start in life – one that will lead them to a good future - can be pretty stressful. Here are our top tips to help you get through the anxiety of parenting.

Be your children’s role model

It always starts at home. I’m sure you’ve heard this a million times before, but it’s super-important to act like the grown-up that you want your child to be. How you present yourself serves as a model for how they will become in the future. If you want your child to be strong, then show them how strong you are, especially during the difficult times. If you want your child to be caring, then show that you care even in small ways like taking care of a pet and being kind to those around you.

Encourage them to have goals

Many people become goal-oriented only late in life but the best way to start is during childhood. Your kids should always have a goal to work towards and aim to achieve it eventually. For example, your child can set a goal of getting a great mark in a school subject that they find a little difficult. Achieving this goal will build their self-confidence and morale, which creates a strong foundation for them as they get older. Make sure you always acknowledge and appreciate it whenever a goal is achieved.

Set boundaries

Discipline is a very important aspect of giving your child a great start in life as this will help them determine the difference between the right and wrong behavior. By setting certain boundaries, children learn the right expectations of them as they grow up and become a part of the bigger society. It’s important that discipline within the household is consistent, balanced and fair. Without these three factors, it will be hard for a child to determine his or her boundaries. This may lead to constant trial and errors in their life while they are determining the right behaviors both in private and in public.   

Train your child to never quit    

Even children experience failures early in life such as failing grades or failing to meet the deadline for a project. With their still raw maturity, it’s easy for them to think of quitting. As a parent, it is your responsibility to train them to never quit. Talk to your child and cite examples of successful people who have failed numerous times before achieving success. Reiterate that perseverance is the key and that mistakes do happen, but each mistake should teach them a lesson so they can make it right next time. As the old saying goes ‘’Quitters never win’’. Make sure they know this.

Spend quality time with your child

In our fast-paced environment these days, time is a precious commodity but it’s important to make the time to focus on children and family. Depending on your lifestyle, allocating a few quality hours a day with your children is vital to keep the bond between you intact. Doing simple things together like watching your favourite TV shows, reading books to them, or playing with them makes them feel secure with your presence despite the limited time that you can spend with them. It is also important to have meals together as this gives you the opportunity for some precious chats while eating. Children also appreciate certain scheduled activities such as going to the shopping centre with you on weekends or watching movies.

Send them to a good school

It is every parent’s dream to be able to send their children to a good school. Next to home, school is where children are moulded into becoming who and what they want to be when they grow up. Identify your child’s vision of his or her future and find a school that will help them achieve it. School is where the children’s academic skills are strengthened. It also helps them determine their interests and goals through their interactions with teachers and fellow students. This is also where they begin to socialise and gain friends. Their sense of individuality develops which helps them achieve their own unique personality. School is where their future begins thus, education is very important. 

Giving your child a great start in life can be challenging at times especially when finances are tight, but you don’t need to let your child’s future be compromised by this situation. If you are in this situation right now, just check out our flexible mini-loans up to $5K to find out how quick and easy it is to get your hands on some extra funds. Once a loan is approved, we can usually deposit the money into your bank account within a few hours , so that you can go ahead and start planning those extra activities that will set you child on the path for future success!