What is Positive Parenting?

I have had the pleasure of working with parents and kids for over 35 years and have learned a lot over the span of this time. Not only as a professional but I’m a parent of two adult sons and a grandmother of five and I know first-hand that challenges are real but not impossible!
Being a parent today is certainly tough, but being a kid is often tougher. Kids are facing challenges and stressors that most parents can’t begin to fathom yet parents often enter parenthood with their own issues and baggage, so it can be hard to navigate just how to provide a positive, healthy, approach to raising their children. Parents need a method, a toolbox if you will, of information to raise and equip their kids to become healthy, happy, confident, centered, loving, and, eventually, mature adults.

Parents need to prepare themselves and their kids for the challenges of today’s ever changing and complicated world. But how? Well, raising kids who are successful on multiple levels, ready to face anything is dependent upon laying a solid groundwork at home. Understanding temperaments and family dynamics are key to this success and that’s where positive parenting enters the picture.

My 12-part blog series will provide specific elements on how to foster being a positive parent. I have found that creating a positive living environment fosters happiness and successes for yourself as a parent and for your kids. When you create a positive atmosphere in your home, you are providing your children with security and opportunities to grow and learn.

First, let me explain what positive parenting is, specifically, how to create a positive living atmosphere at home which is the bedrock for every healthy child and family. If you follow the following four L’s and one O, you’ll be off to a good start:

Love:

How often do you demonstrate love for your child through your words, tone of voice, and hugs? Showing love is crucial for your child as is showing love and appreciation of yourself as a parent.

Laughter:

How often do you laugh? It’s very important to laugh and have fun with your children because it helps them feel confident and connects parents and kids.

Limits:

Children feel safest when parents set limits for them which is why they test you because they want to know the boundaries and that those boundaries are safe. Limits will change as your child grows. An example is setting a time limit for electronics.

Linkage:

Parents need to be connected to the outside community to provide a variety of activities for their kids. Finding the best parks in town and searching for local fun activities helps your child’s social, emotional, and physical development and it gives them a connection to others.

Order:

Kids need a sense of order and organization to learn and grow and it’s something they don’t learn without guidance. When they are little, help them put away toys, clothing, etc. in a designated place so they can learn the skills to create order for themselves.

I look forward to joining you on this journey of positive parenting. Please look for my next installment of the series soon!