They say parenthood is one of the best gifts in life. And, being emotionally present for a child is one of the most powerful gifts an elder can offer — yet, in busy daily life, it’s often the first thing we overlook. Children may not always say it in words, but they constantly seek connection, reassurance, and attention from the adults they trust.
Regarding this, Soumali Bardhan, Senior Psychologist of Mpower Aditya Birla Education Trust, shares insights, “In general, youngsters require a sense of safety, security, acceptance, respect, and love. Additionally, they must feel like they belong, that their opinions are respected (even when it is not possible for parents to follow through) and that they are free to express themselves clearly and honestly."
She adds, “Meeting these emotional needs requires creating a nurturing and supportive atmosphere- parents should ideally try to adopt healthy parenting techniques in order to achieve this.”
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She explains, “Studies show that children brought up in such environments develop a healthy self-esteem, respect for themselves and for others. Additionally, children must be taught how to identify and accept their own emotions and learn how to navigate and regulate them rather than being scared or ashamed of them.”
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She also adds, “These abilities are crucial for achieving success in all spheres of life, including relationships, education and career. Children’s social development aids in their sense of acceptance and inclusion in society.”
Bardhan suggests that a parent must guide their child by helping them understand how to make the most of their existence by being on a perpetual quest: to learn new things, to connect with nature, understand the value of whatever we achieve and receive, and to accept success and failure as a healthy part of life.
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Here are some tips
Be physically and emotionally present. Practice mindfulness whenever you spend time with your child.
Physical and verbal displays of affection are essential. Hugs, kisses, cuddling, holding hands, and saying “I love you” all help children understand that they are loved and wanted. A secondary benefit of this is that children can be taught healthy physical and emotional boundaries through this method.
Use social rewards such as collaborative playtime, going on a walk or story-time to reward good behaviour instead of using material rewards.
Help them understand the logic behind rules and regulations: the simple “because I said so” often fails to work as well as we may think.
Teach them to identify and accept emotions. You may teach the child by identifying, labelling and describing your own emotions.
Teach them the process of setting realistic goals and keeping their commitments by practising this with your child.
Above all, learn to practice Authoritative parenting. Teach your child and learn from them.
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In the words of Soumali Bardhan, “Charity begins at home and parents are the morality guidelines of children. Understanding and differentiating right from wrong depends on the examples being set by our first ever role models. Virtues like honesty, gratitude, helpfulness, assertiveness are all signs of healthy moral development.”
At the end, the truth is that you don’t need grand gestures or perfect parenting to make them feel seen. Small, everyday moments of presence can shape their confidence, behaviour, and emotional world in ways that last a lifetime.
