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Any time of year, good parents seek opportunities to develop and enhance their parenting. Even if it isn’t New Year’s Eve, use this technique to create a successful resolution.
Every year around January 1st, there is a lot of pressure to make parenting resolutions.
However, after screaming at your kids before a night on March 13th, you may decide to make a major shift in your parenting. Or on September 25th, when instead of listening, you went into an hour-long lecture.
Parents that are committed to their children’s development are continuously seeking for methods to improve and progress.
Unfortunately, setting goals, solving problems, or thinking about the future while we’re anxious (as we are in December!) is counter-productive. Your brain is on high alert; it isn’t relaxed and prepared to plan for the following 365 days.
This year, why not try something new? Consider narrowing your list to parenting resolutions that will improve your family’s life.
When you invest in meaningful objectives that improve your relationships, you’re taking steps that will have a significant impact on your family’s growth, organization, and collaboration in the next year.
Resolution Ideas For Parents
Increase the number of times you say “yes.” Say “yes” more often to spending quality time with your family and doing activities together.
Say “No” a little more. Learn to say “no” when it comes to I want, I need, because everyone has it and does it.
Don’t be concerned. Keeping children safe should be a top priority, but don’t let your concerns about all of the huge and tiny highly sensationalised harms that exist out there rule your life. The chances are stacked in your favour. Instead, look for methods to make your children’s environment safer and encourage them to actively investigate what they see.
Listen More; Talk at Less. Inquire “What are your thoughts? How are you feeling right now? Tell me everything about it. What would you do in this situation?”
Reduce the amount of time you spend negotiating and increase the amount of time you spend explaining. Our children have a right to know what goes into our judgments and expectations, but they should not be treated as equal players in the negotiating process. We are the guardians of our children.
Continue reading. Reading to, with, and in front of your child is not only a fun way to spend time together, but it also helps them develop as readers. Take out your books, magazines, newspapers, and notes, then go to our Growing Readers website for ideas.
Add a Few More Lines. Make it a practise to write messages of encouragement, love, gratitude, responsibility, and everyday gratitude for life.
Expect a Little More in the Future. Expect more from your children in the new year, such as good behavior, responsibility, politeness, kindness, and all of their inherent goodness.
Expect to be underwhelmed. Accept a bit less rigid scheduling and more enrichment-filled days. You’re moving too quickly. Children require a lot of time to mature. Create a more balanced and realistic daily routine for your children and yourself.
Make more connections. Maintain connections and keep in touch with family, community, those who are less fortunate, and the natural environment.
Making an Effective Parenting Resolution
Let’s assume your aim for the year is to shout less.
Rather than stating, “OK, no more shouting starting today!” I’d want to advise you to investigate your shouting response:
- Why do you believe it happens?
- What circumstances aggravate it?
- What circumstances improve it?
- What strengths do you have that you could leveanger?
- What are the abilities you’ll need to learn?
- What are the opinions of (trusted) people on your reactions?
- Is this a one-time occurrence or does it occur frequently?
- Is there a recurring pattern?
- Is it more difficult for certain people than for others?
- What is the requirement you’re attempting to communicate?
- How do you feel before and after engaging in this behavior?
- Is there an alternative to shouting that appears to work better?
Examine these issues from a non-judgmental standpoint. Throughout this process, be kind, polite, and kind to yourself. Take a few deep breaths to relax.
Consider what isn’t working and what you would like to alter. Place everything on the table. Keep an eye out for trends. Take a look at your past. Recognize your assets. It’s fine if you’re a one-of-a-kind individual.
Make a list of your observations or talk to a mental health professional or a parent coach about them.
Plan your next move once you’ve learned as much as you can.
This isn’t about being flawless. (Or even sticking to your New Year’s resolution through February 1st.) It’s all about taking little moves and making steady improvements over time.
And if you fall off track in a few weeks, you know what I’ll suggest:
Take it easy.
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