3 Things Parents Must Prepare Their Children For

A lot of times, parents take the wrong approach to parenting by being over protective or  pampering their kids too much . As a result , they end up with kids who are overly dependent on them.

A key part of the growing process for a child is the development of the ability to think independently and make mature decisions. The presence of these attributes signifies real growth and the ability to handle responsibility.

Children do not come to this point on their own unsurprisingly.  They need their parents to prepare them for the key decisions and moments in their lives.  We explore three crucial things parents must prepare their children for.

Peer pressure

constant influence by friends and classmates

Peer pressure will be a constant fixture as your child advances in age. You wont always be there so it is necessary to teach your child how to handle the influence of his peers.

You should make it clear to them that they will always have a choice in any situation. A lot of times, children cave in because they are scared that their parents would antagonize them for getting into the problem in the first place.

To avoid this, assure them that you would back them up and listen to them no matter how bad the situation is. This assurance prevents them from being pressured to do things and makes them open up about mistakes as soon as they happen.

Different perspectives and opinions 
The worst thing you can do to your child is to leave him with a stunted view of the world. Expose your children to books, art and music at an early age.

There will be several controversial questions as a result of the wide exposure they are afforded. As a parent , you should answer such questions honestly without holding back.

Travelling is also a great way to broaden their perspective and allow them the liberty to experience new cultures and people.

Adult responsibility
It is good to provide for your child’s needs. Provision does not however stretch to building an unrealistic bubble where their every whim is catered for.

Expose them to financial responsibility early on in life. If the family is experiencing financial difficulties, keep them in the know. Make them aware that they might have to cut costs and adjust their lifestyle.

Giving children particular chores in varying degrees of responsibility as they grow helps them to take charge and be accountable. When a major responsibility comes such as maintaining a car of their own, you can be sure that they will be ready.

Preparing your child for what lies ahead has a lot of benefits in the long term.  Your child gets to learn life lessons that will help him as he transitions into adulthood.