Aarti
At the crack of dawn on a recent school morning, my eleven-year-old son greeted me with these words: “Dad, you’re going to be so proud of me, I got a 94 on my language test.” My children want me, as their dad, to be proud of them, and this served as a reminder of that. It’s hardwired within children to seek validation and approval from adults in their lives. Additionally, we must ensure that we consistently provide it to them.
1. It meets a genuine need.
Adoration and affirmation from adults, particularly their parents, is a fundamental need for children. Their desire for approval and acclaim is innate. My son, who is eleven years old, wanted me to be pleased with him and his achievement.
Plus, he was hoping to see it on my face and hear it in my voice. A smart parent knows that positive reinforcement yields greater results. Recognizing and praising your children when they do a good job or go above and beyond can encourage them to continue doing the same. Saying something as simple as “I’m so proud of you” can have a profound impact on occasion.
2. It motivates healthy development.
A person’s sense of self-worth is most profoundly impacted throughout their formative years. Success in life is more likely for a kid who has a solid feeling of self-worth and who knows that other people genuinely trust in them. Their self-assurance will soar, and they’ll reap the emotional and relationship benefits as well. We grownups still realize that constructive criticism encourages us to do better in our jobs and get along with our coworkers. Therefore, for our children, how much more accurate would it be? True, a child’s sense of self-worth develops in the home.
3. It reinforces your love.
Because he craves my praise, my son is constantly trying to show me his progress in school. When he sees his parents’ pride in him, he feels loved, at least in my experience. No matter how bad he does, he always wants us to embrace him and tell him how proud we are of his efforts so that he knows we love him. Whatever happens, he wants to know that our affection for him will be constant. That, in the end, is what I believe every child desires. Reminding our children of our pride in them on a regular basis strengthens our affection for them.
Your children may not be aware of it, but their acts reveal that they want you to feel a surge of pride for them. Confidence, happiness, and smiles are the outward manifestations of how much a child values and is loved by their parents.
