Page 18 - IFV Issue 4_ 2024

Today’s Child

The “Lighthouse Parent”
According to an article by Dr Kenneth
Ginsburg, lighthouse parenting is when
a parent creates a balance between love
and setting limits for a child to ensure that
a child is nurtured and safe and respects
parents as important figures in their lives.
Parents should act as a lighthouse while
raising their children, including being
a guiding light/example for their child
to turn to, providing a sense of safety in
times of trouble, and informing their child
of danger, but allowing them to navigate
the challenge independently. Lighthouse
parenting centres around balancing love,
respect, and trust between parents and
children. It aims to help parents provide a
strong, supportive base for their children child bond surrounding trust and strengthen the parent-child relationship,
to rely on, placing trust in children’s support, decreased engagement in risky and learn more about your child. Respect
decision-making skills and their ability to behaviour, more excellent academic your child’s opinions, interests, and
cope with any consequences that may success rates, emotional security, viewpoints, even if they differ from yours.
arise from them. resilience, self-reliance, and self-esteem Share your perspectives and views as
Some examples of lighthouse parenting development. It is achieved through the well and have open communication in
include: following: your relationship. No one knows what
• allow children to make their own • Support your child: Lighthouse’s guide another person is thinking or feeling
decisions and trust they will make good and provide a stable grounding point. unless they ask, and the more you ask,
choices. Practically, this is done by encouraging the more you learn.
• are an example of kind, respectful, and your child to try new activities that • Allow your child to make mistakes:
thoughtful people for their children to interest them, even if they are scared. Allowing your child to make their own
model their behaviour after. Allow your child to choose their friend mistakes will help them take a step
• comfort their child when they turn to group and encourage them to socialise. forward with their independence.
parents after experiencing challenges. Comfort your child when they fail a test, Mistakes give children a learning
• set clear rules for their child to protect lose a game, or face another difficulty. opportunity to grow from and apply
them, and trust that they will follow and • Develop trust: Lighthouse parenting their new understanding by themselves
respect the boundaries. revolves around balance, which means in the future. Preparing your child to
• foster a robust support system for their trust should be developed on both make the best choices possible will set
child, equipping them with the tools sides of the parent-child relationship. them up positively in the future.
they need to grow and become more Parents need to trust their children to • Set clear and protective rules:
independent. make their own decisions and remember Lighthouse parents can be flexible and
the boundaries that are in place, and listen to their child’s views, but clear rules
Benefits of lighthouse parenting in return, children need to trust that and expectations are still in place. Rules
Some benefits of this approach their parents are setting reasonable and boundaries should be based on
include better problem-solving and boundaries to protect them. protecting your child from any physical,
active problem-coping, increased • Communicate openly: Talking to moral, or psychological dangers that
independence rates, a solid parent- your child is a great way to build trust, may threaten their safety.

Shift your focus from: To…
“I am going to do everything “I am going to do everything I can to plant
I can to ensure my child has the right seeds to empower my child to get

the least unhappiness.” through anything and everything without
losing confidence and self-worth”.

16 • Issue 4 2024 • The Villager