Parenting: Questions to Know If You're Doing It Right
If there's one thing that's certain about parenthood , it's that there are no perfect parents , nor is there a single "right" way to parent . Parenting is a constant learning process, full of trial and error, and in this adventure, it's normal to wonder from time to time if you're doing it right.
In light of Father's Day in the Dominican Republic, we share seven key questions that can help you figure out if you're on the right track .
1. Am I a leader or do I just impose rules and control?The father figure is often linked to authority ; however, this doesn't only mean setting limits or giving orders. It's easy to fall into the role of the "controller," the one who imposes discipline from an authoritarian position , but that doesn't necessarily build a healthy relationship or prepare children to make decisions for themselves.
The ideal is to be a leader ; lead by example, inspire confidence, and open spaces for conversation. It's not about saying "Because I said so," but rather about trying to understand your children and being available when they have questions or fears.
2. Do I know how to set limits ?Limits contribute to the healthy development of children, but it is important to be clear that setting them does not mean punishing , controlling, or imposing out of fear, but rather teaching children to understand how the world around them works and providing them with a solid foundation of security and structure.
Many parents confuse love with permissiveness, thinking that saying "no" can damage the bond or cause their children to reject them. Others, on the other hand, resort to rigidity, believing that a firm parent must be inflexible to gain respect.
At both extremes, the true meaning of boundaries is lost. Good boundaries require clarity, consistency, and respect .
3. Am I raising from what I consider to be best or from what I didn't have?Many parents raise their children with the intention of "giving them everything they didn't have." Although this is a premise based on love, if this motivation isn't accompanied by reflection , it can be more harmful than beneficial for the children.
This is especially evident on the material level. Parents who grew up financially deprived often struggle to provide their children with clothing, toys, technology, and travel. However, there is an important difference between providing well-being and trying to fill the voids of the past with material things.
4. Do I respect their tastes and differences ?Every child is unique. They have their own temperament, interests, way of seeing the world, and way of expressing themselves. However, many parents try to mold their children to be like them, to fit into what they consider " correct " or "normal."
This can happen without us realizing it, from small comments like "that career has no future " or "I was already doing that thing at your age ."
Respecting their tastes and differences doesn't mean agreeing with everything, nor does it mean letting go of all control. It means recognizing that children aren't meant to live up to their parents' expectations , but rather to follow their own path.
Beyond providing, educating, and setting limits , one of the most important pillars of parenthood is the emotional bond. That invisible but powerful connection that allows a child to feel safe, heard, and valued. And that bond is built, above all, on trust.
Many fathers assume that their children's respect and affection are guaranteed simply by being their father figure. But trust doesn't come with the title of "dad." It's earned over time, with consistency , with presence, and with everyday actions.
6. Do I reinforce your self-esteem ?One of the most valuable gifts a parent can give their child isn't material, academic, or practical. It's helping them believe in themselves.
Self-esteem isn't built overnight, but it is cultivated in everyday life: when a parent validates their child's feelings, celebrates their achievements (no matter how small), supports them in their failures without mockery or reproach, and reminds them that their worth doesn't depend on whether they are right or wrong.
7. Do I know how to apologize when I make a mistake?Many of us grew up with the idea that parents are always right and that asking our children for forgiveness is a sign of weakness or loss of authority .
But it's quite the opposite: acknowledging that you made a mistake humanizes you; it teaches your children that they don't need to be perfect, but rather authentic. It helps them understand that making mistakes is also a part of life and that the important thing is to acknowledge mistakes and apologize when necessary.
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