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Grace Cheng (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

What are the attributes of good parents? Several qualities come to mind, but those that should be most prominent are love, care and support. These characteristics can help parents guide and support their children while also providing them with assistance when necessary. While all parents make mistakes, what matters is the effort that they make in becoming excellent parents.

I am fortunate to have good parents. They have instilled in my brother and me a system of core values that has defined who they are. They kept their promises and honoured commitments. My parents, especially my father, functioned as excellent teachers and powerful role models in the lives of both my brother and myself. My father lived his life with his values of having good moral standards, work ethics, integrity and character. Furthermore, he had taught me how to be a student of learning and the importance of continued education. I have learned from my parents the value of being responsible and taking accountability for my actions and behaviours. My upbringing has had a positive influence and has shaped and impacted my present-day life. 

Exceptional parents can make all the difference in their children’s life. They offer support, guidance, and a sense of belonging. Parents work relentlessly and sometimes without recognition. In the end, however, these efforts show in the sound, well-adjusted children they raise.

Qualities of Good Parents

• Show Unconditional Love

Showing unconditional love is the greatest quality of a good parent. No matter how upset parents are at the faults of their children and whether they lament that they did not achieve what they wished for their children; they still love them regardless.

• Accept That Their Children Are Not Exactly Like Them

Parents understand that every individual is unique. They would not expect their children to live the same way they do or to do the same kind of work they do. In addition, they respect their children’s values and opinions, provided they do not harm the family or anyone else.

• Supportive and Loyal

Good parents are their children’s public defenders, advocating for them when necessary. They wait for privacy before disciplining their children. Parents serve as safety nets for their children and are the people who they turn to when things go wrong.

• Educate Children to Appreciate Things

Excellent parents never allow their children to take their possessions for granted. They make their children see the value of everything they possess, from the food on the table to the education for which they are paying.

• Spend Quality Time with Children

Parents understand how to entertain their children. This may involve taking them to games and movies and showing interest in their sports, hobbies or other activities. They take time to listen to their children and to have a good, easy conversation with them. In addition, they spend time helping their children with their homework, if necessary, every night.

• Discipline Children

Setting and enforcing boundaries for your children is extremely important. Parents should establish guidelines and rules that are aligned with their values and purposes. The rules must be consistent, clear and attainable. The consequences should be fair and logical.

• Trust Children

Parental trust is important for children. Whenever children violate this trust, parents communicate openly, discipline and explain why they are disciplining. Additionally, parents should act in such a way that their children can trust what they say and what they do.

• Focus on Positive

They should encourage their children to have a positive outlook on life rather than a negative one. The ability to process negative events and situations is important, but good parenting also involves guiding your children toward positivity and forward movement.

• Provide New Experiences 

Provide your children with a variety of new experiences within your means. Use books, lessons, and other resources to encourage your kids’ interests. Expose your children to new activities, places and people. Let them experiment with a variety of activities without  pressuring them to choose one.

• Ability to Manage Stress

Good parents must be able to manage their stress and temper, which will lead to well-adjusted children. Children are often influenced by the way that their parents deal with stress by mirroring their behaviour. If parents are unable to cope with stress, their kids will likely feel anxious and isolated as well. Children would learn how to handle stress if they observe how their parents manage their emotions in difficult situations.

In conclusion, good parents provide a strong foundation for their children, allowing them to grow into happy and successful adults.

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Grace has an accounting and finance background. She enjoys reading, writing, listening to music, watching movies and playing sports.