Focus on Your Child’s Strengths not Weaknesses
Before we start discussing this critical
aspect of parenting, I want to make a few things clear. I am not saying that
parents should not help children to work-upon their weaknesses or let us say
limitations. We need to give due attention to these weaker aspects as well but
not to make the centre of the entire parenting experience.
Identify Strengths
As a very important part of being a parent is
that we need to pay utmost attention to details. We can call it a superpower
that we can gauge things from far as our kids are concerned. Now the actual
need is to use this superpower constructively. Keep a close tab on all the
activities your kid is indulging in to. See if he has a special liking for
painting or she loves to go for that dance class. You must know what they like
or what they do well & encourage them. In your capacity, you can motivate
them to achieve higher steps in the ladder & get better mentorship &
platform. Few areas where the parents can concentrate & understand the
strengths are as below.
· Creativity
· Public
Speaking
· Sports
Enthusiasm
· Interpersonal
Skills
· Analytical
Skills
· Experimentation
Are they weaknesses?
Someone wise once said that it is unfair to
judge a fish for its ability to fly. Each kid or rather a human being can
develop different skills. Some have few natural skillsets & many people
acquire these by working on them. However, our fundamental liking & ability
should match to create something special. This means that a kid who enjoys
basketball & shows extraordinary talent may not like to paint that much. So
for this kid painting does not become a weakness.
We have strictly adhered to the skills related
aspect while discussing this topic. However, we parents need to address
behavioural limitations of the child. If your kid is good in framing his
thoughts on paper but does not enjoy verbal conversations or public speaking
events, that’s ok. Let him choose to move forward at his own pace. All you can
do is encourage him without pushing much & don’t transfer your fears to
him. I guess if we parents stick to our boundaries it works well for the kids.
Don’t you agree with me?