Parenting is a not-so-easy task. There are different challenges come along with parenting. Parents need to be caring, responsible, understanding and patience as well. A child thinks weirdly, asks inappropriate questions, and try to explore new things. As a responsible parent, it is your duty to figure out the world around your child. This is the key to positive parenting. Positive parenting is an approach that is built upon mutual respect. This is an amazing strategy where you learn to handle your child as an individual and develop an intense emotional attachment to struggle with the battles of daily life.
Positive parenting is nothing but thinking about your parental role in a productive way with your children. Your children are not your property and any kind of wrong behavior may make them feeling worse which eventually stops their development of self-discipline. So here are 10 positive parenting tips to make your parenting smooth.
1. Children need natural and logical consequences
Children are more likely to learn from the consequences of their actions. But most of the time parents interfere unnecessarily and build up the consequences. In this case, consequences seem to be punishment for the kids. The consequences always should make sense. Natural consequences can be extreme learning for your children. And in case natural consequences are not safe or practical then it must be logical. Let your children suffer the consequences of their actions because unnecessary interference will prevent them from being disciplined.
2. Set the limits but empathize more
Children always want them to be heard. You must set your rules but you also make sure that you acknowledge and validate their perspectives. They want to feel understood and it is easy to get across your points if they also get respect from you. If they feel respected, they will learn to respect you more. For example, without saying “shut up” if you can empathize with their points they will accept the limits easily. In case if it leads to physical danger stop them immediately. But set your limits with empathy. Being understood helps the children to obtain the rules easily.
3. Show love and affection
Showing love and affection to your children gives them a sense of security, acceptance, and safety what they need the most. You can show your love by giving them kisses, hugging and embracing them throughout the day. You can also express it verbally. It is very important to spend quality time with your children, praise them and listen to them. Try to use humor and make fun that helps to build personality and develop insight. But also be firm when it comes to being disciplined. Keep your words and act rationally. It will help to build up mutual respect.
4. Communicate appropriately
Communication is the key to positive parenting. Always talk to your kids as it encourages your children to be independent and confident. Be open to your children and treat them as individuals while making any conversation with them. Also speaking to them at their eye level is important. It shows respect for them. Using age-appropriate language always makes better communication.
5. Make clear expectations
You need to make clear instructions that your children are able to understand what they actually need to do. It is not easy for them to decode an instruction like “clean up”. But if you say that you want them to put their toys away, it will make more sense to them. So your children always need to know clearly what you expect from them. Once they get to know what you look for in their actions it also becomes easy for them to meet up the instructions successfully.
6. Learn behavior management
Sometimes parents should know good behavior management in order to guide their children more effectively. Children learn from modeling and you are the role model of your kids. Make sure that you treat each other in a good way. Reward them with praising for good behavior. Always tell them to choose between two options, not more than that. You can also help them to develop simple house rules and every member of the family should follow those rules.
7. Never fail to keep your words
You should be consistent with whatever you have said or promised to your children. Children are smarter today and also have sharp memories. They will learn to respect you more if they see you mean what you say. But in case if it seems like you are just full of empty threats they will just ignore it in the future. They also remember the promises you have made to them. If you fail to keep those promises it will be difficult for you to set any further limitations for them.
8. Be positive
Appreciate the effort of your children, even though it is not something big. Also, make sure that you never tell your child bad. It affects their self-esteem a lot. Your negativity must keep an effect on their moods. For example, if your kid is starting to go to school you have to remain positive rather than showing your fears in front of them. The way you respond to the new changes your children also respond and react to them accordingly.
9. Acknowledge the feeling
You should never stop your children from expressing their emotions and feelings. It is very normal for them to cry, scream, and feel sad, angry and disappointed. It is your duty to understand their situations and teach them how to express it in an appropriate way. Also, make sure that there is a guideline and do not easily give in to pleas and tears.
10. Control your emotions
You need to regulate your emotions with a view to peaceful parenting. You also need a break to handle your children calmly. If you are in stress that will definitely affect your children. You are the role model of your children. So when you show them how to self-regulate they will surely learn how to do it for themselves. It will help them to be independent and disciplined in the future.