All children are special. You job as parents and educators is to accept their differences as their special gifts. Each child is born with some talents and some weaknesses. As a parent, you can bring out the best in your child by discovering their talents and developing them, and by helping overcome their weaknesses. In short, the best parenting advice that can be offered is to treat your child as a special gift to you, a special treasure!

Here are three parenting tips to help you bring out the best in your child:

1. Be present. It is rightly said, “Don’t just present gifts to children. Be present as a gift to them.” No amount of presents can make up for your presence in your child’s life. Parenting begins with being present; being with children and spending quality time with them. Be present and connect with your children. It not only gives them the sense of security and the feeling of being loved, but it also boosts their confidence to no end. They know who to ask when they have a question; they know where to go if they have a problem and they know they are being watched so they cannot go off track.
2. Build confidence. When you are with your children, you will watch them in all their moods, you will see their reactions and responses to things. You will approve of some and disapprove of others. Don’t start judging your child. Guide them finely, involving them in the process. On the other hand, focus on the positives. Praise them for what they do right more than reprimand them for the wrong. Remember, there is a very fine line between confidence and ego. Don’t be so indulgent as to praise everything that your child does, and don’t be indifferent to them either. Praise generously where it is due, and be firm when they cross the limit.
3. Stop comparing. Each child is special. You can do the maximum damage to your child if you keep comparing him/her with other children in the family, school or neighborhood. Children are competitive by nature. They want to do what others can do. When you start comparing them with other kids they feel deficient. Instead, dwell on your children’s talents and give them the courage to develop them rather than try to imitate someone else.

Teach by example. Children learn by imitation. Become a role model for your child. Children are like crystal clear mirrors. Whenever you see your child behaving in an undesirable manner, look at yourself. After all, they have learned this from someone, and they are with you more than anybody else. Correct your own behavior and you will see it reflected in your child.