5 Positive Parenting Tips

Even if many parents understand the philosophy and benefits of positive parenting, they find it difficult to move from the theory to practice. It is true that the challenges that arise every day make it difficult to manage situations calmly and in the light of positive education.

Let's see, 5 tips proposed by the founders of positive education:

1. Make time: Make your week plan ensuring it includes time with your child. It is important that it is quality time, regardless its duration. Practically, remind yourself to be "present" during the interaction, observing and responding to the child's emotional needs.
2. Role model: Don't forget that you are a role model for your child. Specifically, children typically mirror the behaviors of significant others. If you feel like you're losing control of your emotions, take time out so you can keep your temper.
3. Show empathy: Even if you are dealing with a child's intense outburst, approach them and verbally describe their emotion (eg anger). It is important for the child to feel that it is understood while learning to recognize and name its feelings.
4. Developmental Stage : Be sure to keep your child's developmental stage in mind. Practically, this means that you need to adapt the vocabulary or find alternative ways to deliver the messages you want to the child (e.g. visual material).
5. Realistic expectations: Tantrums and possible disobedience of rules are very likely to occur, without necessarily meaning that you are doing something wrong. Set realistic expectations for both children's behaviors and your parenting role.