At some point, parents feel lost when their children misbehave or throw tantrums. They juggle between whether to chide them or make them understand gently. That’s where the role of positive parenting comes. The power of positive parenting is such that it prepares children for success and enables them to perform better in school. This blog talks about the importance of positive parenting and how the challenges of positive parenting can be tackled.
What is Positive Parenting?
Being warm, loving, and nice to kids is the cornerstone of positive parenting. It involves teaching and motivating them to behave in ways that their parents desire. Positive parenting is associated with a happy and healthy childhood that promotes better relationships, mental health, and overall well-being.
Why Positive Parenting Matters in Today’s World
In today’s fast-paced world, children face social media pressure, digital distractions, and changing family dynamics. Positive parenting builds strong emotional bonds that make children feel secure and loved. It encourages positive behaviour among children, leading to better long-term cooperation and discipline. Avoid using fear or punishment since it might damage your relationship with your child and make them reluctant to confide in you.
Importance of Positive Parenting in Child Development
So far, we have learned about the ‘what’ and ‘why’ aspects of positive parenting. Now, let’s check out the importance of positive parenting in a child’s development.
- Emotional and social benefits for children: Children who receive positive parenting are better able to understand and regulate their emotions, which leads to the development of emotional intelligence. Positive environments provide children a sense of support and worth, which boosts their confidence and self-esteem.
- Academic and behavioural impacts of positive parenting: A child’s behaviour and academic performance improve when they are raised with positive parenting. Children become more eager to learn, which improves their focus and attention span. They learn to think critically and make their judgments when they are guided rather than punished. It promotes effective communication and interpersonal skills.
Key Benefits of Positive Parenting for Parents and Children
When it comes to positive parenting, it has certain advantages. The benefits of positive parenting for parents and children are as follows:
- Boosts confidence and self-esteem in kids: Avoid criticism and harsh comments. Rather than focusing just on the outcomes, give your child appreciation for their efforts. Rather than fake compliments, be honest with them. If they didn’t perform well, gently let them know by using language like, “It’s okay. You’ll do better next time.” Positive parenting makes the child feel valued, which leads to increased self-esteem and confidence in kids.
- Reduces stress and conflict in the household: When positive parenting is followed, it encourages open and calm communication. A safe and nurturing atmosphere inspires children to share their thoughts and feelings with confidence. However, it becomes important to strike a balance between positive reinforcement and authoritative parenting. Such a balance leads to reduced stress and conflict in the household.
- Encourages Independence and Responsibility: Through positive parenting, parents guide the children and encourage them to make the decisions on their own decisions. They reassure them that even if they make a mistake, they will be there to support and guide them. Such encouragement makes the children independent, and they do not hesitate to take up the responsibility for their actions.
Practical Tips for Practising Positive Parenting Every Day
Positive parenting doesn’t need to be perfect. It should be honest, emotionally present, and patient. Let’s check out the practical tips to enhance the power of positive parenting.
- Use Positive Language and Reinforcement: Parents are the ones whom the children trust the most. The way parents speak shapes children’s perspective about themselves, others, and the world. A child’s confidence is built, and the parent-child bond strengthens through positive language and reinforcement. For example, if your child is trying to help, even if he doesn’t do it properly, use phrases like “That was sweet, I am proud of your effort.”
- Set Clear Boundaries with Empathy: Every parent wants their child to grow up to be well-behaved. But the way it is taught also matters. Encourage the child to talk about their feelings and teach them gently about how others might feel because of their actions. It’s okay if the child feels upset about it. What matters is your unconditional love and support, along with teaching them boundaries.
- Be a Role Model: Lead by Example: Children mostly learn behaviours through observing their surroundings, especially their parents. Thus, parents must set an example for their children to follow. Parents should apologise immediately if they snap at each other or their child. Being kind to the child and others, as well as being patient and present, helps kids grow in empathy and respect.
- Listen Actively and Validate Feelings: When parents give full attention to their children by listening and acknowledging their feelings and emotions, the child feels heard and valued. It encourages them to express themselves freely, and they become self-aware about what emotions they are feeling, such as sad, scared, or happy. All this leads to a strengthened bond with parents as the child feels secure within themselves.
Overcoming Common Challenges in Positive Parenting
There are instances when parents struggle to control their children’s tantrums and maintain composure under stress. Here are some strategies for overcoming the usual obstacles of positive parenting.
- Managing Tantrums and Misbehaviour Positively: Positively responding to your child’s tantrums or misbehaviour is vital. Anger and yelling only make things worse. Your child will probably relax more quickly if you react calmly and assertively instead. For example, if your child refuses to do homework, be supportive instead of giving pressure. Use phrases like: “I will help you out. Let’s start with the first question.”
- Staying Calm and Consistent Under Pressure: It becomes important to manage your emotions when dealing with your child while they are misbehaving. Taking a few deep breaths helps to respond calmly and confidently. Pause before reacting and try to understand your child’s perspective. Don’t see your child’s behaviour as an attack; instead, help them through this difficult moment and be their support and guide.
- Balancing Discipline with Nurturing Support: This is a delicate yet important balance to strike between discipline and nurturing support. Encourage open communication and listen actively to your child’s thoughts and concerns. Set clear boundaries without giving them punishment. Discipline is about providing a sense of structure and predictability, which fosters positive growth. Such balance ensures that children understand the importance of the rules while feeling supported and understood.
Conclusion
The power of positive parenting is transformative as it shifts from control to connection. It aids in finding a balance between support and discipline. It promotes cooperation and trust between parents and children. Additionally, it increases children’s confidence and sense of self, which enables them to respond constructively to a variety of circumstances. At AHPS, we think that parental participation influences a child’s achievement. To engage parents in their child’s journey, we host programs, school activities, and parenting workshops.