It can feel hard, saying ‘no’ to our kids and setting rules that seem to upset them. However, by establishing clear boundaries and expectations in your household, you’re not only helping the adults involved, but you’re also teaching your kid some important lessons and helping them develop skills that will be with them for a lifetime. If you’re still not convinced, check out these top benefits that come from setting clear expectations with your kid.
Your Child Will Feel Safe
Everyone wants their kid to feel safe, secure, and loved, and this is exactly what boundaries can achieve. By setting clear expectations, your child will feel reassured that you (the adult) are in control and are making sure that they stay safe and looked after. Even if these boundaries sometimes frustrate them, it’s much healthier and better for children’s well-being to grow up with rules than without them.
Your Child Will Socialize More Easily
Believe it or not, setting rules and limits at home will support your child in their friend-making and socializing. This is because most other children will be accustomed to expectations around issues such as sharing, listening, showing kindness, and avoiding hitting or hurting others. Therefore, your child will fit in more easily and settle into group environments if they are also used to similar expectations at home.
Your Child’s Personality Will Develop
Some rules are there to be broken. As your child gets older, it’s quite likely that boundaries you’ve set around screen time, the time you’re expecting them home, or healthy foods will get broken. This is a healthy example of your child developing their own standards of behavior and expectations, as they test out which of your rules they believe in. As long as your child is staying safe, a little rule-breaking as they enter their teen years is to be expected.