Becoming a parent for the first time is an exciting adventure, filled with joy, surprises, and plenty of questions. While there’s no single “perfect” way to raise a child, evidence-based practical tips and insights from real experiences can make the journey smoother and more fulfilling.
In this article, we share 10 practical parenting tips for beginners to help you build confidence and nurture your child with care.
Understanding the Basics of Good Parenting
Below are some essential parenting tips to help you foster a nurturing, respectful, and healthy environment for your children as they grow [1].
1. Respect Your Child’s Uniqueness
Babies are born with a vast network of developing brain connections that are shaped by their experiences, actions, and environment throughout life [2].
Hence, each child is unique. Everyone possesses a different personality, perspective, and abilities that vary more than we can imagine. Unrealistic comparisons and extraordinary expectations can pressure a child and may contribute to long-lasting negative emotional impacts [3]. Accept that development takes time, and your child has a unique dimension of their own. This acceptance is the first step in effective parenting.
2. Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem
A child’s sense of self and self-worth develops when they perceive themselves through their parents’ eyes [4]. Everything, from your tone of voice to body language, gestures, and posture, is absorbed by them.
Your words, actions, and reactions as a parent have a direct effect on their developing self-image.
Praising even their little achievements and accomplishments will make them feel proud and encouraged. Letting them do things independently will make them feel more capable and self-reliant. In contrast, if they are belittled or unfavourably compared with other kids, it can render them feeling worthless and insecure.
Harsh comments and verbal aggression, using hurtful words, are to be avoided as they cause equal or even more harm than physical attacks.
Physical harm, even the slightest or mildest of any kind, has to be completely avoided, as it may cause unnecessary hatred and long-term psychological distress [5].
Choose your words, mind your actions carefully, and be compassionate. Let your kids understand that mistakes are inevitable in nature and a part of human nature too. Despite them committing mistakes, you love them and are always ready to guide them.
3. Praise Positive Behaviour
Have you ever considered how many times you react negatively to your kids in a given day? You may be surprised to find yourself criticising far more often than appreciating. Studies suggest that positive reinforcement is significantly more effective at shaping behaviour than consistent criticism [3].
The more effective approach is to catch kids doing something good: “You cleaned your space without being asked, I am glad!” or “I was watching you help your sibling with the homework, and you were guiding properly.” These statements will do more to encourage good behaviour over the long haul than repeated scolding.
Make a habit of finding something to praise them often. Be generous enough with abstract rewards, love, hugs, gratitude, and compliments can work real wonders and are often enough rewarding.
4. Set Clear Rules with Consistent Discipline
Discipline is a necessary component of good parenting tips. The aim of discipline is to help children choose acceptable behaviours and learn self-control. They may test the bounds you determine for them, but they need those limits to grow into responsible adults [1].
Reinforcing household rules helps kids understand your expectations towards them and develop self-control. Some rules might include: no TV until homework is finished, and no hitting, bullying or name-calling, or hurtful teasing is acceptable.
You might want to have a system in place: one warning, followed by consequences like a “time out” or loss of privileges. A common mistake parents make is failure to follow through with the results. You can’t discipline kids one day and then ignore them the next. Consistency teaches what you expect.
5. Spend Quality Time Together
It’s often difficult for families to get together for a meal and spend quality time together. But kids would find it very heartwarming. Get up a few minutes earlier, so you’ll eat breakfast together with your child or leave the dishes in the sink and take a walk after dinner. Children who don’t get the attention they want from their parents often act odd or misbehave because they’re sure to get noticed that way (acting out for attention) [4].
Many parents find it rewarding to arrange time together with their kids. Create a dedicated “parent-kid time” each week to spend together, letting your kids primarily decide how to spend the time. Look for other ways to connect too.
6. Be the Role Model Your Child Learns From
Young children learn how to behave by observing their parents. They pick up on your reactions, tone, and actions [2]. Before showing anger or frustration, ask yourself: Is this how I want my child to act in similar situations?
Model the values you want them to adopt, such as respect, honesty, kindness, empathy, self-control, and cooperation. Show gratitude, give compliments, and demonstrate unselfish behaviour. Treat others the way you want your child to treat people.
Avoid physical punishment, shouting, or exposing children to harmful habits like smoking or excessive alcohol use. By staying positive and calm, you help prevent anxiety, aggression, or unhealthy behaviours in your child.
7. Make Communication a Priority
Knowing what your kids are up to is very crucial in parenting. Talk to them about your schedule, tackle problems together, learn and explore things together, let them know that you are a safe person to confide in, and let them trust your judgment, guidance, and reactions. Keep the communication bridge so strong that whenever they are in distress, they will seek you rather than take the wrong steps. Secondly, you cannot expect kids to try to do everything just because you, as a parent, “say so.” They need and deserve explanations to the maximum amount, as adults do. Parents who mostly reason with their kids allow them to know and learn in a nonjudgmental way.
Make your expectations clear. If there’s a conflict, describe it, express your feelings, and invite your child to figure out an answer. Be sure to include consequences. Make suggestions and offer choices. Be receptive to your child’s suggestions also. Kids participating in decision-making are more motivated by nature.
8. Adapt Your Parenting Style as Kids Grow
Every child is unique, so there’s no perfect parenting manual. Adjust your expectations and methods to fit your child’s personality and pace.
As kids grow, their needs and interests change. Teenagers may look up to peers more than parents, that’s normal. During adolescence, continue to provide guidance, support, and appropriate boundaries while allowing them to develop independence [1].
9. Balance Unconditional Love with Healthy Boundaries
While it’s natural to have expectations for your child, your love and support must be unconditional. At the same time, too much pampering or overlooking inappropriate behaviour can be counterproductive. Strive for a balance between guidance and affection.
When addressing mistakes, avoid blaming or criticising, as this can harm your child’s self-esteem. Instead, focus on encouraging and nurturing them. Let your child know that even when they make mistakes, your love remains constant, and you are there to guide them.
10. Care for Yourself as a Parent
You can’t give your best to your children if you’re feeling drained or stressed. Taking time for yourself helps you stay positive, which in turn benefits your kids. It’s essential to acknowledge that no parent is perfect; you and your child will both make mistakes, and that’s okay. Focus on your strengths, work on areas you can improve, and set realistic expectations for yourself, your spouse, and your children.
Parenting becomes more manageable when you prioritise what really matters instead of trying to handle everything at once. Take breaks when needed and do activities that bring you joy. Taking care of your own well-being isn’t selfish. It is a necessary component of sustainable and effective parenting and sets a valuable example for your children about self-care and balance.
Conclusion
Parenting is not about perfection; it’s about presence, patience, and continuous learning. While no single method fits every child, understanding your child’s unique needs and being adaptable in your approach builds a strong foundation. Good parenting blends love, discipline, communication, and self-awareness. By being mindful of your actions, nurturing emotional growth, and prioritising connection over control, you create an environment where your child feels secure, valued, and confident. Ultimately, your conscious efforts shape not only their behaviour but also their future.
References
[1] Dosman, C., & Gallagher, S. (2022). Parenting principles primer. Paediatrics & Child Health, 27(6), 327–332. https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/pxac033
[2] Breiner, H., Ford, M., & Gadsden, V. L. (2016). Parenting knowledge, attitudes, and practices. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK402020/
[3] National Institutes of Health. (2018, July). Positive parenting. NIH News in Health. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/07/positive-parenting
[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 13). Essentials for parenting toddlers and preschoolers: Self-esteem. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/self-esteem.html
[5] Gershoff, E. T., & Lee, S. J. (2016). Spanking and child outcomes: Old controversies and new meta-analyses. Journal of Family Psychology, 30(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000191
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