Positive parenting is a key concern among parents these days. It can be complex for parents to schedule, manage and work on everyday tasks, especially in these overwhelming times. Parenthood is supposed to be a happy journey and not a burden. Every parent wants the best for their kids and wants to raise their kids the best way possible. You can not justify positive parenting when your 3-year-old kid hits you and in response, you say, "I love you". (Btw, do you know, your toddler might be saying you I Love You in different ways?) So what does positive parenting really mean and how is it beneficial for the parents? Let's learn about its definitions and tips:
What Is Positive Parenting
Positive parenting encourages positive and warm family communications and guiding children by reinforcing and rewarding their better impulses. It is a strategic and philosophical technique based on the idea of building relationships and developing self-discipline among children.
According to the experts, this concept helps protect children from toxic stress or depression effects while preventing them from brain abnormalities. Here are a few tips of positive parenting that can be executed to create a better environment for your kids.
Related: Do you have the right parenting skills already?
Tips For Positive Parenting
#1. Set Boundaries
Setting certain boundaries at the house can make your kids more calm and patient. This can encourage respected behavior and fulfill their relationship needs. Set the screen time, dinner time, dinner rules, etc.
Related: Do parents influence a kid's diet?
#2. Build Connection To Develop Cooperation
Children prefer not to listen to those adults to whom they can not connect. Punishment can create an odd relationship with your kids, diminish your connection and the likelihood of your children to you. You can start by spending time with them, interacting about their days, and setting a dedicated phone-free time with each other.
#3. Be Firm Yet Loving
You can hold high expectations and be strict with your kids while being loving at the same time. Specify what is more important for you, communicate your expectations with your kids, and be consistent in executing rules. Keep calm and use a loving tone while reminding them about the rules.
#4. Avoid Shaming & Comparing
Comparing your kid with others or shaming them for their inabilities can make them feel bad for themselves and lower their confidence. Build their self-esteem by believing in them and act accordingly in case of negative circumstances. Also, in case of need, tell them about their wrong behavior without making them shameful.
#5. Use Natural Consequences
Punishments can make your kid your enemy and confuse them with the feeling of offense. Try to relate their negative behavior with natural consequences. For example, in case your child denies wearing rain boots, tell them what will happen if they go out without those boots.
Also read: What does every child needs for good mental health?
#6. Give Logical Consequences
Sometimes, natural consequences don't turn out to be the ideal thing to do. Use logical consequences when the need for creating a long-term impact of the specific condition. Make sure you give the right logic without getting angry or frustrated. A child forms perception based on the perceptions and expectations of significant people their life- how he/she is thought of and treated by parents, peers and teachers.
#7. Model Respect
Children follow your actions and reactions consciously or unconsciously. Suppose, if you want them to respect you, you need to be respectful to others too. Be kind and gentle to them and be what you want your kids to be.
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#8. Encourage Them To Be A Problem Solver
Avoid spoon-feeding everything to your children as this will make them dependent and reliant on others. Encourage them to find a solution to the difficulty on their own and avoid conflicts.
Also read: Is your child acting greedy?
In A Nutshell
Improve your children's behavior and cut through the chaos to create a more peaceful and happier environment. Try to understand your kid's needs and thought processes before making any major decisions. Consult with our verified therapists on The Wellness Corner to discuss your ongoing issues. Get in touch with doctors for family checkups and virtual health consultations.