How to Overcome 4 Common Parenting Challenges?

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Every child is as unique as the parents that sired them.

Add to that equation, the differences in other factors such as gender, health, natural aptitudes, social circles, and other circumstances and it becomes clear there is no one, surefire way of dealing with parenting challenges.

While this is true, there are broad concerns that nearly every parent will encounter at some point in their journey to raising a child to adulthood. These general concerns can be anywhere from health concerns to present and future education, undesirable attitudes to sibling rivalries.

Knowing these are likely concerns that will probably come up in your path to raising children “right” can help you prepare for overcoming these common parenting challenges. 

1. Health issues

As much as we would like otherwise, health concerns will come sooner or later as you raise a newborn to adulthood. This is simply a fact that parents should be ready for. And this is not limited to just instances where your child will catch a fever or flu. Even the mere eating habits of children have to be considered.

Dietary habits are a daily concern.

How and what you provide for sustenance will be carried by your children as the years go by. With the modern world very being so fast-paced, it’s quite easy to fall into the fast food bandwagon.

Prepare yourself by learning what kind of diet you wish you and your children to adhere to (yes, you too, because your example will influence children). Knowing how to keep yourself healthy is the first step in ensuring your offspring will grow similarly. 

2. Education

Unless you live in an uncivilized society, your children’s education should be prepared for and clear to you long before they are even conceived.

Schools are, after all, the second home where your children will learn academic and social skills, as well as build character and interpersonal relationships. Public schools may be relatively low cost, but other costs such as books, projects, field trips, and other miscellaneous fees will crop up. With that forewarning, invest in your child’s future by setting up an educational plan.

Banks will often offer savings accounts specifically for this purpose, as well as actual long-term plans that you can gradually build up. On that note, check on personal loans that you might take advantage of in case of an emergency.

There are even personal loans online for college education available if the need arises. 

3. Undesirable attitudes

We would all like to believe that our children are “little angels”. However, as innocent as that newborn baby is, forces beyond your control will eventually influence their ethics and morals.

Whether it’s the classmates at school, the “cool” actors they see in movies or TV, or the characters in the video games they play, your children will be exposed to personality traits that are either good or bad. That is simply a matter of fact.

While you cannot prevent other influences from affecting your child’s mental, emotional, and spiritual development, you can make sure you become the central and most prevalent influence in their lives. It sounds simple, enough, right?

Simplicity does not mean it is easy.

Let’s be honest – we all have our little devils that whisper bad things in our ear. But it boils down to whether or not we act on those negative thoughts. Consciously being a good example in front of your kids goes a very long way in their own understanding and acceptance of what constitutes right and wrong.

For instance, follow the traffic rules when your child is riding with you, even when it seems like you could get away with it or in a rush.

Another example would be showing restraint and understanding when the child commits a mistake. It’s often said it’s the small things that matter in the end, and that certainly applies here. 

4. Sibling rivalries

Having one child is an enormous responsibility already. Having more than one child increases that exponentially. The previous parenting challenges apply, but multiplied by the number of siblings in your household – and add sibling rivalry into the mix.

It might seem like a small thing, but it is a natural instinct for siblings to compete, often not realizing they are doing so. Whether it is a matter of seniority, competing for your attention, or simply having differences in their perceptions, children will act on these impulses one way or another.

While this is another thing one cannot outright prevent (short of ensuring having an only child), how you treat your children will affect how they act amongst themselves when you are not there to oversee and supervise.

Challenge is equivalent to growth

While these common parenting challenges seem to be centered only on the children, the truth of the matter is the parents also grow with how these challenges are overcome.

How you face parenting challenges will impress on you and your children and perhaps for generations down the line on what we ultimately wish to be – good people.