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Support > Positive Parenting
> Parent Tip of the Week
Parent Tip of the Week: Positive Parenting
Both new and experienced parents are sometimes unsure about how to deal with
children’s challenging behaviors. Here we offer suggestions for effective, positive
parenting:
- Children need to feel like they and their opinions matter and are fully valued. Talk
to your child and listen to what they have to say.
- Show your interest in your child’s day-to-day life, hobbies, and interests. Get
involved with their school and friends.
- Violence is not an answer. In the long run, it is not an effective parenting tool. Do
not hit, slap or a shake a baby. One shake can last a lifetime!
- Make sure you’re child is always supervised. Don’t leave small children alone or
unattended. Know where you children are at all times and whom they are with.
- Your choice of childcare is important. Carefully select your childcare and stay
involved.
- All children are unique and all respond differently to various disciplining
techniques. Learn effective ways of disciplining your child.
- When you’re angry with yourself or someone else, don’t take it out on your child.
Know how to manage your anger and frustrations in a healthy way. Set a positive
example of how to do so for your child.
- Don’t let rage control your actions. Remember children learn from what they see.
- Don’t expect “grown-up” behaviors from children, learn what they can and cannot
do.
- Childproof your house. Children love to play and explore things that they see, put
away objects that are dangerous or not meant for children.
- Let them know you care. Tell them you are proud and give them a hug! Make
your child feel loved.
- Discipline your child in a positive manner. Do not use violent punishment.
Instead, discipline your child by taking away certain privileges such as watching
his or her favorite TV show or playing with his or her favorite toys.
- Make the consequences fit the misbehavior. Be fair. In other words, don’t overly
punish your child for something very minor.
- Be a good example to your children. They learn from their parents’ behavior.
- Believe a child who tells you about sexual abuse. Seek help from a trusted
professional such as a doctor or mental health professional. You can also call the
child abuse hotline at 800-342-3720.
- Be consistent about rules. Make sure to set reasonable rule and more importantly
stick to these rules with little or no exceptions.
- Set age appropriate limits.
- Help your child learn self-control. Be their example and practice self control in
front of your children.
- Love and respect your children. There’s nothing more important to our children
than our love.
Have a tip you want to share? E-mail Jackie Hirschorn at
hirschoj@mhawestchester.org
with your Parent Tip of the Week!
This material has been adapted by MHA from materials of the ACT (Adults and Children Together Against
Violence) program developed by the American Psychological Association (APA), a scientific and
professional organization that represents psychology in the United States.
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