| National Survey of Parents of Young Children showed | | | | simple tool use to reinforce good behavior and |
| that although 9 out of 10 parents believe that parenting | | | | eliminate bad behavior; it builds self-esteem and inspires |
| is the most important thing they do, nearly one-third of | | | | confidence in children and it's really easy once you get |
| parents could increase their positive parenting, one-third | | | | the hang of it. Children's feelings of esteem are very |
| could be more effective in their parenting and nearly | | | | highly influenced by their interaction and relationship |
| two-thirds could decrease their punitive parenting. | | | | with their parents. All children need to feel loved and |
| Take a minute and imagine what it would be like to | | | | accepted, and you can communicate those feelings to |
| raise children that are confident, are not affected by | | | | your children by the way you speak. |
| peer pressure and no way influence by the media. | | | | Setting Boundaries: This is one major issue in raising |
| Imagine not worrying too much about choices that | | | | children; boundaries let children know what behavior is |
| they make because deep inside you know they will | | | | acceptable and what behavior is not. For young |
| always bounce back to the good values you have | | | | children, boundaries keep them safe-don't cross the |
| instilled in them. How would that make you feel as a | | | | street alone, don't talk to strangers, etc. For older |
| parent? I bet pretty darn well good! | | | | children, boundaries make them pleasant people to live |
| Ok, now let's get back to the present. | | | | with, work with, and play with. Without boundaries, |
| You see, it does not matter what kind of parenting | | | | children will have problems getting along with others |
| styles you follow but one thing that I am sure is that | | | | their entire life. But how do you set them? Well you |
| most parents have the natural ability to nurture and the | | | | simply have to mean what you say and follow through |
| desire to praise and love. However, parenting | | | | on what the consequences are if the rules are not |
| challenges can turn even the most patient and | | | | followed. Some parents struggle with the following |
| understanding adult into a frustrated and | | | | through part but there are techniques that you can use |
| misunderstood parent. Many parents often ask this | | | | to help you follow once you learned them. |
| question: what are the most important skills of positive | | | | Problem Solving and Stress Management: In |
| parenting would they need in order to have a positive | | | | demonstrating problem-solving, adults should |
| affect raising their children? This answer may vary | | | | encourage children to generate their own solutions |
| from different people point of view. | | | | rather than imposing their own 'best solution', however |
| While parenting methods and styles vary from parent | | | | obvious it may appear to the adult. This allows children |
| to parent, certain traits and techniques are bound to | | | | to practice thinking creatively about solutions to their |
| help create a safe home environment in which children | | | | problems rather than relying on adults to be there to |
| can thrive in both trust and love. I believe the following | | | | sort everything out. |
| three positive parenting skills can help you cope with | | | | Unlike what some may like to believe, stress is not |
| your children and improve their behaviors. | | | | dependent on age. It can surface at any age and for |
| Positive parenting can be achieved through the use of | | | | any individual if the environmental demands get too |
| these three main sets of skills and they are as follow: | | | | taxing. One important stress reliever to teach children |
| Positive communication, setting boundaries, problem | | | | of all ages that can help them deal with everything |
| solving and stress management. | | | | from uncomfortable feelings to tantrums is breathing |
| Positive Communication: Positive communication is a | | | | exercises. It helps them stop, relax, and refocus. |