TEN POSITIVE PARENTING TECHNIQUES

Positive parenting suggests a gentler approach to raising your children, by reinforcing good behaviours instead of punishing the not-so-good ones. Here we run over the basics of this parenting style.

Raising a child, as enjoyable and rewarding as it is, can be very challenging. Sometimes the responsibility over your little one's life is overwhelming and daunting. As parents, we all want what's best for our children and to bring them up in a happy, positive and ambitious way.

Positive parenting is a way to support your child as they grow, that results in a much more harmonious household and less stress for all. The thesis behind positive parenting is to focus on encouraging good behaviours rather than punishing bad ones. Studies have shown that when children feel safe, supported and loved they're better able to tell right from wrong, which enables them to behave better. This suggests that shouting at your child or overly punishing their bad behaviour may actually result in further bad behaviour - the opposite of the desired result!

TEN WAYS TO START POSITIVE PARENTING

Positive parenting has been proven to improve cognitive skills, as well as social and emotional intelligence. It also offers a platform that fosters self-development, independence and creativity. We want to build our kids up to be confident, capable and full of self-belief. Let’s look at a few ways to get started.

Set the standard

One of the keys to raising children who behave well and don’t lose their temper is to set the standard you expect of them. Try to set an example of how you would like your child to react in different scenarios, by keeping your own behaviour measured and positive. Talk openly with your child about the decisions you make and why you make them. With a healthy model like this to follow, your little one can see how their thoughts can lead to actions and then consequences. Warmly encourage them to try to be positive in all that they do.

Punishment isn’t the answer