Life for a parent is an emotional and physical rollercoaster. As a parent, you have many moments that will test your resolve. From the heights of joy to depths so deep, it feels like there is no end in sight; being a good caregiver for children comes with its share of challenges, some manageable and others not so much! But through these upsets come great rewards, too: seeing them grow into responsible adults who make our world better than they found. You may be hard-pressed to understand how anyone could say that raising kids is rewarding.
When you are a parent, there are many things you can’t control: your kids, their behavior, or what they do or say. So, when you question your actions as a parent and begin to feel sorry for yourself and your child’s life (or worse yet, blame yourself), relax!
What Exactly Is Positive Parenting?
If you’re wondering what exactly is positive parenting, it’s a lot like positive thinking. It’s defined as “the act of raising a child with an emphasis on instilling values, teaching morals, and providing a nurturing environment.” In other words, positive parenting is about creating a healthy relationship with your child that will last a lifetime.
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though; there are some things you should watch out for a while raising your kids. For instance: if you are yelling at them too often or letting them do whatever they want, you are not being a good parent.
Also, if you’re constantly saying no to everything they ask for or won’t let them do anything fun because it’s “too dangerous,” there is some room for improvement.
So, how do you go about being a positive parent? Here are 7 tips to help you raise happy and confident kids who can handle life’s challenges with grace and grit.
Don’t Compare Your Kids To Other Kids
It’s a natural instinct to compare your kids to other children. We all do it, and it happens all the time.
But what if we were to tell you that comparing your kids to other kids is a recipe for disaster? It’s true!
Whether it be their looks, academics, or athletic ability, every child is special and unique in their own way. Comparing them to others will only lead to resentment and self-doubt.
Let’s say your daughter gets an A on a test, and you’re thrilled—but then you realize that her friend got an A-minus on his test. Suddenly, your daughter feels like she failed because she didn’t get the highest grade possible—and that feeling can stick with her for years (or even decades) after graduation from high school!
Don’t let this happen to you or your family! Just remember:
- Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.
- Everyone is beautiful in their own way.
- Everyone deserves love and affection no matter where they fall on the spectrum of human perfection (or imperfection).
Encourage your children to find their own voice.
You may have noticed that your child has started to speak up more. They are becoming their own person, and it’s essential to encourage them to find their own voice.
The way you do this is by allowing them the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings freely. This will help them develop a strong sense of self and build confidence. Furthermore, it will also help you better understand them as individuals.
Don’t Take Your Kid’s Negative Behavior Personally
Easier said than done, right?
We know, we know: this is easier said than done. But the reality of parenting is that you’re going to be criticized for your child’s behavior—which might hurt. We’re not saying that you have to brush off everything as if you have a high-powered exterior coating, but try not to take it too hard when someone tells you that your kid is acting up in a restaurant or on an airplane (or wherever it may be).
It can be hard to remember that the people criticizing you are just being judgmental and don’t know your whole story—but they don’t know your entire story, right? And even if they did, they wouldn’t care because they’re busy being judgmental jerks without knowing any better.
So don’t let their negativity get under your skin; remember that it doesn’t matter what other people think of your child because they are still excellent and worth fighting for no matter what anyone else says!
Kids Need To Learn They Can Depend On Their Parents
Your child needs to learn how to cope with their emotions, even when they’re not feeling 100 percent happy themselves. This means that your child should know that even if you are having a bad day and feeling irritable, grumpy, or tired, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be there for them when they need help coping with their frustrations. Suppose your child is afraid to tell you about Something because they think it will make you angry or upset. In that case, this can lead to more significant problems later on down the line — such as developing depression or anxiety disorders.
Your child needs to learn that they can depend on their parents no matter what happens. Whether there’s a storm raging outside, someone has made fun of their best friend at school, or one of their pets died unexpectedly overnight (yes — this actually happened!), kids need an adult who will listen without judgment and offer support during these stressful times so that children don’t feel like falling apart entirely under pressure from the world around them.”
Use Positive Reinforcement
We all want to be praised and complimented for the things we do well. We expect it from our parents, teachers, friends, and colleagues. It makes us feel good about ourselves and motivates us to do more of what gets us those compliments in the future. This can be especially helpful when your kids are doing Something right! When they do Something you like, give them a high five or say “good job”—but don’t overdo it; you don’t want them to get a big head!
But how do you know what to praise and what not to praise?
- Doing things that are expected of them (e.g., “Good job getting dressed by yourself!”)
- Something they can’t help (e.g., “You’re so smart!” or “You’re so good at soccer!”)
- Something they did a long time ago (e.g., “You’re so good at sharing!” when they were 3 years old)
- Something easy for them (e.g., “Good job tying your shoes!”)
Focus on the present and future, not the past.
When you’re constantly living in the past, it’s easy to get caught up in regret and what-ifs. But dwelling on the past will only keep you from enjoying the present and planning for the future. So, try to live in the moment and savor the time you have with your kids.
Show Your Kids How To Apologize
“Sorry” is a word many of us don’t use as much as we should. But it’s also a word that can help you get out of some tricky situations and improve things for everyone involved.
Showing your kids how to apologize is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. When children make mistakes, they need to understand the right thing to do. They should learn that saying sorry and making amends can help make things better.
It’s not always easy for kids to admit fault or accept responsibility for their actions — especially when they’re still learning the right way. If you want your child on board with making amends and apologizing, here are some ways you can teach them:
Teach your kids how to apologize. When children make mistakes, they need to understand the right thing to do. They should learn that saying sorry and making amends can help make things better.
Show them how to apologize when someone’s feelings are hurt. You may have heard your child say Something mean or insensitive and wish she would just say sorry! But it’s not always easy for kids to admit fault or accept responsibility for their actions — especially when they’re still learning the right way. If you want your child on board with making amends and apologizing, here are some ways you can teach them:
Help them think about why apologies work so well – telling people how we feel helps us communicate more effectively with others; even if we don’t agree with everything another person says during an argument, showing respect by listening carefully will encourage them to respect our opinion too!
Teach Your Kids To Love Their Self
Body positivity is a term you’ve likely heard before, but what does it mean? Body positivity means accepting and loving your body exactly as it is. It’s about accepting that we all have flaws and imperfections—not just in terms of weight but also skin tone or facial features—and embracing these things as part of who we are.
It’s a good idea to start teaching your kids about body positivity. When they’re young, they can grow up feeling comfortable with their bodies and positive about themselves at all times. Here are some ways you can help them learn to love their bodies:
Focus on health, not weight: Help your kids develop a healthy relationship with food and physical activity by teaching them to balance, nutrition, and the importance of being active.
Avoid making negative comments about your own body. Your kids are always watching and listening, so it’s essential to be mindful of the things you say about your own body. If you comment negatively about your appearance, they’re likely to internalize those same negative thoughts about themselves.
Let your kids get frustrated as they figure things out themselves
You might think that you’re doing yourself a favor by shielding your kids from the world’s many disappointments and failures. But in reality, when you do this, you’re just setting them up for more significant problems down the road.
Of course, being there for your kids when they need you is essential. Still, you also need to give them the space this is where they will gain confidence in their abilities and learn what they are capable of when they try hard enough. You can’t shield them from all disappointments or failures. Still, you can help them weather through them by modeling how to deal with negative emotions like frustration and disappointment—and not just when disciplining your child! Suppose you have trouble handling these emotions yourself. In that case, this will also be Something to work on together as a family unit.
You are not alone. Just remember to take things one day at a time, appreciate the small victories, and never give up on your dreams for yourself or your children. Everything will work out in the end–and if it doesn’t, it’s probably not the end. So, whatever emotions flood you when your kids act up or say Something inappropriate, don’t take it too seriously. Just remember that every single parent has been there at some point in their lives too!
I hope you enjoyed this article and if you believe your friends or family member can benefit from it, please share it with them. It might just make their day a little bit brighter. I wish you all the best if you are just starting your parenting journey.
If it seems like everything is falling apart at home, know that many people have been through it and will be there to help! Remember, the best thing you can do for your kids is to love them unconditionally and be there for them no matter what! Thanks for reading!
This has been “Secrets to Happy Parenting” if you found it helpful, please like and share!
