Why Introverts Make Great Parents

Parenting can feel like a never-ending challenge for most, and for a good reason. Every decision, action, and reaction a parent makes directly affects their children. It can be challenging to know if and when the right choice is being made.

For parents that are naturally introverted, the heightened emotional intelligence and thorough processing that tends to stem from their natural demeanor are incredibly beneficial traits to have. As they encounter new challenges, they take the time to sit back and contemplate how they can best take action.

Kids that are raised by introverts are taught valuable life skills and coping mechanisms that can mold them into highly functioning, well-adjusted adults. For parents that have ever felt insecure or anxious about their introverted tendencies, it will likely be a comfort to know that these traits are actually wonderful for raising children.

They Listen Before They React

The situations parents can be put in as a result of growing children and adolescents can be highly stressful. Especially for parents of teens, there are countless situations that may call for an emotional reaction.

With introverted parents, the tendency is to move inward and contemplate all factors before reacting. Even though they may feel angry, frustrated, or disappointed, they are far less likely to have an emotional outburst as a result.

Instead, they take their time to be alone and mull over the possible courses of action. Ultimately, this results in less confrontation and more effective parenting. Although engaging in a disagreement at some point is certainly unavoidable, a calm and considerate conversation is far more effective than a screaming match.

Plus, children that are given logical explanations for any sort of punishment or reprimanding are better equipped to understand and resist engaging in the same behavior again. This saves parents a whole lot of time and future headaches.

They’re Emotionally Intelligent

When introverted parents sense that their child is in pain, they are responsive and ready to help. A powerful trait of introverts is empathy and compassion for others. They often feel this for complete strangers, so the amount of empathy they reserve for the people they love is truly significant.

Children are inevitably going to experience emotional turmoil as they grow up. Unfortunately, traumatic experiences like bullying happen quite often, especially at school. If an introverted parent becomes aware of a situation such as this, they aren’t going to simply brush it aside or tell their child to toughen up.

Instead, they are ready to listen, offer valuable advice, and support their child by whatever means necessary. It is crucial that children feel seen and heard by their parents, and this is one example of organically healthy parenting via an introverted parent.

They Model Independence

The ability to enjoy one’s own company and maintain independence into adulthood is important for healthy relationships. Children that are raised to seek entertainment solely from others are likely to have difficulty being alone as they grow up.

A common complaint from many young children is that they are bored. Constant stimulation, especially from others, is a dangerous habit to become accustomed to.

Introverted parents naturally engage in behaviors on their own that fulfill and entertain them. Some examples of this are reading a book, going for a walk, and practicing yoga.

When children are consistently shown that they can turn within to find peace and relaxation, they are far more likely to prioritize their own happiness in the future.

Home Is Their Happy Place

Being in a safe, comfortable space like home is a common trait in introverts. This means more time as a family and increased bonding with children. Parents that are present are given a greater opportunity to connect with their developing kids.

As they begin to enter the ages of middle and high school, every opportunity to check in is valuable. By being home more often, these introverted parents are drastically increasing their chances to engage and build a healthy, strong relationship with their family as a whole.

In contrast, extroverted parents get their metaphorical cup filled up by being around peers and getting out of the house. As a result, they aren’t home as often and could miss out on valuable experiences with their children. Additionally, children may begin to feel their decreased presence. In the long run, this can lead to feelings of invisibility and a lack of self-worth.

Introverted parents are able to provide a strong sense of worth and importance to their children by being home more frequently.

They’re Empathic

When it comes to children, getting them to express their emotions can be difficult. Not only are they inexperienced when it comes to the world, but they also struggle to make sense of what it is they are actually feeling.

A great example of this could be a child that comes home from school and goes straight to their room. While some parents may not even notice this behavior, introverted parents are likely to pick up on it immediately. Hypersensitivity to other people’s emotions is one of the most exhausting but important traits of introverts.

In fact, this is one of the many reasons that introverts need to recharge on a regular basis. Being able to read between the lines and look for non-verbal cues is an ideal trait to have when raising children.

At the end of the day, most kids simply don’t have the ability to clearly communicate how they feel. By being naturally perceptive and intervening sooner, introverted parents have the upper hand.

They Prioritize One-on-one Time

For families that have more than one child, it can be challenging to ensure that each gets an equal amount of attention and focus from both parents. Introverted people, in general, tend to value one-on-one time more than extroverted people. Because of this, it is far easier to dedicate time to spend with each child on their own.

This quality time ensures that the children feel valued and establish a sense of autonomy. They can feel confident knowing they have their own identity, separate from their siblings. For younger children, a fun activity could be working on a coloring book together. This is something that can be done either at home, in a restaurant, or out in nature.

Setting aside this quality time is likely to come naturally to an introverted parent, and because of this, it can be a whole lot easier to keep up with it.

Conclusion

Introversion has the power to foster some truly amazing parenting techniques. Opting to see these introverted traits as strengths is important for showing children that being reserved is something to be proud of.

Introverts make incredible parents for so many reasons, and ultimately, they are wonderful people in general.