In recent years, there has been a growing movement of parents who are advocates for positive parenting. The goal of parenting is to create a positive environment for your child that will assist them in developing the skills they need both now and into adulthood. This includes showing empathy, understanding, and respect towards others and encouraging a sense of self-esteem through encouragement from you.
Positive parenting is effective in promoting child development and improving child-parent relationships. It can also help reduce conflict within families and the likelihood of children engaging in negative or antisocial behavior.
Despite the many benefits, positive parenting is not without its challenges. Here are some of the most common ones and how to solve each one:
Setting Good Examples Can Be Challenging
Positive parenting encourages your kids to grow up independent, healthy, empathic, and with a strong sense of self-esteem. For your kids to develop these qualities, you need to set a good example for them to follow. Unfortunately, this is not always easy to do since no one is perfect, and it is very easy to make mistakes.
One way to overcome this challenge is by being mindful of your own behavior. Show your kids exactly what you want them to learn from you. Remember that simply telling them what to do and how to do it is not enough. It helps to set the example that you want them to follow.
For instance, show your kids that you keep up with your health by exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and eating healthy foods. Mothers like you, for instance, should invest time in getting regular preventive checkups to ensure you are in tip-top shape. Be sure to find a nearby clinic providing services specializing in women’s health. Thankfully, many clinics now offer televisit appointments so you can continue receiving medical care without leaving the house.
Showing your kids that you value your health is a great way to encourage them to do the same. You get to increase your chances of raising healthy kids who learned healthy habits at home. Doing so will also motivate your kids to seek medical attention when they experience something out of the ordinary with their health.
Another example is being able to apologize when you make a mistake. This sets an excellent example for your kids and shows them that it’s okay to admit when you’ve done something wrong. When you own up to your actions, it will encourage your kids to do the same, promoting open communication between you and them.
It Can Be Difficult To Maintain a Positive Attitude All the Time
One of the biggest challenges of positive parenting is trying to be positive all the time. This is especially difficult when you’re feeling stressed, tired, or just plain unhappy. It’s easy to take your frustrations out on your kids, especially when they haven’t done anything wrong and are simply acting like kids.
The key is to be aware of your emotions and keep them in check. Take a step back and breathe whenever you feel like you’re about to lose your temper. Once you’ve calmed down, talk to your kids about what upset you and why it’s essential to stay calm.
Take care of yourself, so you don’t feel overwhelmed all the time. Schedule some “me time” into your day and do something you enjoy. This can be anything from reading a book, walking, or taking a yoga class. You can also try meditation or deep breathing exercises to help you relax.
Remember that building a support system of friends or family members is also a must. This will help you stay positive even when things get tough. By maintaining a positive attitude most of the time, you’ll set a good example for your kids and teach them how to cope with negative emotions in a healthy way.
It Can Be Hard To Find Balance
Positive parenting also means showing tough love when necessary. You need to be able to set limits and boundaries while still being loving and supportive. Finding the right balance can be difficult, but it helps to explore ways that work for you and your kids.
Find balance by using positive reinforcement. This means rewarding your kids when they behave as you want them to. Studies show that this is a more effective method in protecting kids against negative behaviors and can even last for many generations. This will impact your kids through adolescence and even up to how they parent their own kids in the future.
For instance, consider giving them a hug or verbal praise when they clean up their room without being asked. Offer your kids a small prize or allow them to pick a fun activity to do together when they follow your rules.
At the same time, you also need to be able to discipline your kids when they misbehave. Consider using timeouts, taking away privileges, or giving them a warning. The goal is to teach them that there are consequences for their actions and help them learn how to make better choices.
As much as possible, avoid using threats or ultimatums as these can backfire and worsen the situation. For example, don’t say, “I’ll give you a time out if you don’t stop that right now!” Instead, try saying something like, “I’ll be happy to help you when you’re ready to cooperate.”
Having a set of family rules that everyone agrees to follow can be extremely helpful. This will make it easier for you and your kids to know the expectations. Make sure the rules are clear and consistent and that everyone understands the consequences of breaking them.
Let’s say one of your rules is “no hitting.” If your child hits someone, say, “I’m sorry you’re feeling frustrated, but it’s not okay to hit. What can we do instead?” By remaining calm and offering a solution, you’re helping your child learn how to control their emotions constructively.
Positive parenting takes time, effort, and practice. It’s not always easy, but it’s important to remember that the goal is to help your kids grow into happy and successful adults. You can make a big difference in your child’s life by using positive reinforcement, maintaining a positive attitude, and finding balance.
