Positive parenting can be a very simple concept to follow when broken down into its core elements.
Put simply positive parenting is saying what you want from your child.
It is using positive action words, and it is about telling your child what you want and expect from them rather than telling them the behaviour you do not want from them.
Positive parenting can and should be used in every day life, in every situation, and every conversation.
Here are some examples of positive parenting in every day situations.
When you are applying positive parenting, instead of saying "stop playing with your food" you would say "I want you to eat your food nicely" or instead of saying "stop jumping on your bed" you would say "sit nicely on your bed" or even instead of saying "be careful riding you bike or you will fall off" a positive parent would say, "be careful riding your bike, so you stay safe.
" Note that the action words are all positive.
These are very simple concepts to follow.
It takes practice more than anything else.
Using positive parenting will give your children a feeling of positive self esteem.
They will feel more secure and happy as you are saying what you want and expect from them rather than constantly nagging and telling them what not to do.
The patterns of positive or negative talk often start in childhood.
Children hear the words we say, they do not take the information as a whole, but instead listen to every word.
Negative words have a very harsh effect on children.
E.
g.
when you say something to your child like, "I told you not to mess your juice, you stupid, clumsy child.
Look at this mess, I'm sick and tired of you, you always make me so angry.
" What your child will hear are statements (said with emotion) such as, I am stupid, I am clumsy, mom is sick of me, I always make mom angry.
The child then makes connections and links to these statements, such as, mom does not love me, I never do the right thing, I always disappoint her, how can she love me, I'm stupid, I never get anything right, I cant do anything, I am a failure.
Children are very vulnerable, and with out even being aware of it, we as parents can damage their confidence and self -esteem by using negative words and phrases.
Children need to be built up, so that their confidence soars.
Children need to believe that they can do anything, accomplish any task, tackle any challenge, and that they have the self confidence to make any dream come true.
Creating these feelings of self confidence lies in our role as the parents.
It is so important that we use positive words, words that build confidence and promote a positive self esteem.