How To Be A Present Parent For Your Children

Parenting is tough work and it’s relentless. You don’t get a day off when you’re a parent, even if that child is away from you for the majority of the day. There’s still a lot that needs to be done and thought about when you’re parenting, which is what often makes it hard to be present as a parent.

Those little moments of downtime and me-time that we all need, are often examples of a parent not being present, even though they feel like they are most of the time.

Being present is important because chances are, the child is going to remember the times you were there, versus the times when you were away – or on your phone. With that being said, here’s how to be a present parent for your children.

Check-in with your kids regularly

While you might be present for your kids by physically being there, it’s important to also be there for them mentally. Checking in with your kids is beneficial because it’s often what they’re not saying that you want to hear and understand.

Mental health and dealing with feelings is something that children process on a regular basis as youngsters, and once they head into the teenage years where the hormones are raging.

It’s important to be sure to check in with your kids on a regular basis so that you’re checking they’re ok and that there’s nothing that you should be aware of that you could help with.

Put the phone away where possible

The phone is something that older generations didn’t have much problem with when they were a kid because chances are, the phones didn’t exist or they were still in their infancy of popularity.

As modern parents, it’s a lot harder to let go of our phones because it has everything on there that we need and it can be a source of zombie scrolling when bored of watching the same episodes of your kid’s television show or when they’re playing with toys.

However, you should try and put away the phone as often as you can and whenever you realize you’ve hopped on it by default. Be sure to look at putting phones away or off the table during dinner time. Dinner time is an important part of any family’s day where they can catch up and nurture those relationships.

Try to put your kids first 

It’s important to put yourself first because you can’t pour from an empty cup – you are the empty cup sometimes.

While that’s true, you should also try to make sure your kids are prioritized but perhaps in the sense of putting them above other commitments or things that could be left until later. For example, if you’ve got a work email or two to send, chances are it can wait until the kids have been read a bedtime story and are in bed.

Remember, you can always earn money, you can always work – and you can always scroll on your phone – but the time you get with your children is limited.

Help them with their homework

Homework can be a challenge as an adult and everything your child is learning might look alien to you but it’s something you should be trying to help with where you can.

From using a Hindi alphabet flashcard for learning the ABCs to helping them with a history assignment that you know absolutely nothing about.

Homework is that time in your life as an adult when you learn new things and relearn the stuff you put to the back of your brain or dumped out of your brain, decades ago.

Show up to the classes and events

One of the most important parts of being a present parent is showing up to classes and events. This is quite possibly the most influential part of being a parent because these are core memories for the kids.

If you didn’t show up to a sports day or a Christmas concert at the school, then they are likely to remember not seeing your face in the crowd or audience as a way of bringing them reassurance.

Spend quality time together doing things you both love

Finally, try to find things that you can do together so that you’re spending more time with one another. Quality time with you and your child is priceless and it can be a great way to bond and nurture the parent-child relationship in general.

Being a present parent matters, so use these tips to be present for your child.