Criticism-
It is important for children to improve and to know when they have done something wrong. If they are not corrected, they will continue to do things improperly. However, when a child faces criticism regularly, it becomes extremely natural for them to start criticizing themselves, and we are our harshest critic. As a parent, you should correct, not criticize your child. When pointing out things they have done wrong, or that need improvement, also point out good things. You should try to have _ of your comments be positive and praising, and ¼ correcting. A child who never hears anything good about themselves or their actions will eventually start to believe that there is nothing good about them.

Time-
Making food for your child, washing their clothes, or driving them to school does not count as quality time spent together unless you make it quality time. Children need to have their parents giving them attention every day. It is so easy to just let your child entertain themselves with books, television, video games, the computer, etc. and it is possible to go a whole day without any kind of meaningful conversation between child and parent. Children who are not getting the attention they require from a parent will often act out, stop doing school work, get in trouble, find less than positive friends, etc. It is important to remember to make real efforts to have conversations about likes, dislikes, dreams, fears, friendships, morals, etc. daily, so that a child knows they can talk to you, interrupt you if necessary, etc.

The parent child relationship is one of the most important relationships a child has. As a parent, you should continually strive to improve your parenting, and help your child to love themselves, and believe they have worth. If they do, they will go further, and be more successful in every aspect of their life. If you don't, your child may face some real struggles, that could have been easily avoided.