A version of this post first appeared on Indian Moms Connect

Most days I find, parenting is a draining journey. There I have admitted it. I will now wait for the trolls to decimate me. But I am being honest. It isn’t easy being a parent. A strong parent needs to be mentally strong and yet sensitive. It is a fine balance we need to figure out while trying to bring up responsible and empathetic kids.

Understanding what it means to be a strong parent is the first step in getting there. Here are some commonly found traits of mentally strong parents,

Insist on responsibility

Strong parents raise responsible kids. Children who grow up being responsible for chores and errands make better team players and leaders. Strong parents teach and insist on responsible behavior.

Mistakes happen

Strong parents let their children make mistakes. It is common for kids to make a mistake in their math tests or forget to take their homework to school. Children do mess up. Strong parenting means you let your children face the natural consequences for making those mistakes.

Disciple vs. punishment

Strong parents raise children know the difference between disciple and punishment. Punishment is suffering faced as a consequence of wrongdoing. Discipline is a set of rules the family and the child need to follow. Raising children who can self-discipline themselves is a sign of strong parenting.

Perfection doesn’t exist

Strong parents understand perfection doesn’t exist. They do not expect perfect children and do not push their children to be best in everything. Instead, strong parents help their children get better in things they enjoy and are inclined to.

Keep your fear at bay

It is a scary world out there. Keeping our children protected and safe is our priority. But, we also need to teach  self-reliance. Strong parents keep fear at bay and let their children try and explore new avenues. As our children grow up, we become guides. We do not remain protectors.

Positivity is the only way

Strong parents do not let pessimism become a way of life. Being a victim and having pity parties is natural and easy. Instead strong parents teach themselves and their children to look at the positive side of things. It is the only way to go.

Hurt and pain happen

Our children get hurt and struggle. They face challenges and fall down. They struggle with acceptance and anxiety. Strong parents acknowledge the pain. They accept it and teach their children to accept it. They find coping mechanisms.

Family values

Strong parents do not lose sight of their family values. They talk about these values to their children and hold themselves accountable. This helps immensely in today’s fast-paced world.

So, how do you parent? Are you a strong parent?