Positive Parenting
Having consistent and supportive experiences with your child as they grow can help you create memories together and allow you to form a strong bond. This solid connection between you and your child may encourage open and honest communication and may support your child's willingness to come to you for help and reassurance as they face new challenges and life experiences. The consistency and support you exhibit with your child can serve as a foundation that can help shape them as they grow into independent adults.
Positive Parenting
The use of positive parenting techniques can aid you in your efforts to create loving connections with your child. The concept of positive parenting is described as "…the continual relationship of a parent(s) and a child or children that includes caring, teaching, leading, communicating, and providing for the needs of a child consistently and unconditionally" (Seay et al., 2014, p. 207). Positive parenting is consistent, empathetic, empowering, nurturing, and guiding (Lonczak, 2019).
Parents can establish clear and consistent guidelines and expectations for their children by using positive parenting techniques. Through collaborative communication and guidance, children learn boundaries and expectations while understanding the consequences of their actions (Institute for Educational Initiates, 2021). Approaching parenting in this manner may increase a child’s success as they enter adulthood because they understand these important concepts of actions and consequences.
A misconception about positive parenting may be that this type of parenting is too permissive. However, through positive parenting, parents use clearly defined rules and guidelines to implement expectations for their children while consistently meeting their child's needs.
Positive Parenting Techniques
Zero to Three (2018) lists several parenting behaviors that foster children's growth. The following selected parenting behaviors and habits can help guide healthy development for children:
- Viewing situations from a child's point of view.
- Providing consistent age-appropriate guidelines.
- Being able to recognize one's feelings and being able to regulate them.
- Celebrating the child's strengths and abilities.
- Responding with sensitivity and interest.
In addition to the general parenting behaviors and techniques listed above, there are also specific actions that a parent can take with their child, depending on the child's age (CDC, 2021). Those actions include the following:
| Age (In Years) | Ways to Practice Positive Parenting |
|---|---|
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0-3 |
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3-5 |
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5-10 |
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10-18 |
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Moving Forward
Practicing and participating in positive parenting are conscious and intentional processes that continue throughout your child’s life – even when they are an adult. As you and your child navigate your parent-child relationship and the joys and challenges it may bring, try to incorporate positive parenting techniques and strategies into your parenting approach in order to nurture a solid base that is built on trust and mutual respect.
Additional Resources
- Thrive
- Triple P: Positive Parenting Program
- CDC Positive Parenting Tips
- Breathe to THRIVE
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, February 22). Positive parenting tips.
Lonczak, H. S. (2019, May 8). What is positive parenting? 33 examples and benefits. PositivePsychology.com.
Seay, A., Freysteinson, W. M., & McFarlane, J. (2014). Positive parenting. Nursing Forum, 49(3), 200–208. doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12093
Zero To Three. (2018). Positive parenting [Infographic].
Source
Getgen, C., Rudy, T. L., & Perkins, D. F. (2021, December 13). Positive Parenting. Republished with permission by the authors and the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness.
