10 ways to be a Positive Parent
We have a choice as a parents, whatever our circumstances and however challenging our children can sometimes be, to approach our parenting in a positive or negative way (recognising, of course, that we all sometimes have off-days, when it is difficult to feel at our most positive!)
Mountains of research and evidence shows that Positive Parenting results in better behaved children; happier children with better self-esteem; better achieving children; better parent-child relationships; happier, less stressed parents and far happier family life all-round.
Great! But how can you achieve positive parenting? Here are 10 key things we need to do as parents:
- Model positivity yourself. Be the very best role model you can be to your child, by what you say and what you do
- Establish positive values and rules in your family
- Always be ready to catch your children being good
- Give plenty of Effective Praise
- Reward your child – when reward has been appropriately earned
- Listen and talk to your child in a sensitive, thoughtful way. Take their views into account
- Never smack or hit your child. Smacking is illegal and does not achieve positive outcomes, which positive parenting does!
- Adapt and tailor your approach to reflect your children’s personality, particular circumstances and the age of your child (see Positive Parenting at different ages)
- Keep things in perspective and retain a sense of humour
- Every day, seek to build your child’s Reserve of Self Esteem