10 Parenting Tips To Raising An Emotionally Healthy Child

There is no other job you will take on that is more important than raising a child that is healthy and able to become a productive member of society. Here are some 10 parenting tips to raising an emotionally healthy child.

1. Understand Your Childs Behavior
Understanding your child’s behavior is very useful in making and encouraging change as well as reinforcing good behavior. Keep a diary or log if you need to. That way you can refer back and put the pieces together.

It will help you determine what is occurring that is causing the behavior, what type of consequences have you used so far, and what was the response. It will also help you to understand whether the behavior is a result of fear, stubbornness, or a method to get attention? Once you have a clear picture you’ll be able to work towards change.

2. Encourage Positive Behavior
Encouraging positive behavior has far more power than punishing poor behavior. Often ignoring acting out while reinforcing positive behavior will give you more positive results.

3. Establish House Rules
Coping with difficult behavior is important for your sanity and for your child. By establishing house rules you can curb some behaviors. Your child needs to know what is acceptable and what is not. He or she also needs to understand what the consequences are.

If you feel your child is beginning to get out of control deal with it immediately. A problem is far easier to deal with at the beginning rather than when it has escalated out of control.

4. Take 5
If things get really heated, take 5. That will give you a chance to cool down before you do something rash. It will also give you a chance to evaluate the situation and determine why you are getting so uptight and if the behavior deserves the level of anger it is receiving. /p>

5. Never Hit or Yellbr> When you are angry with your child’s behavior never strike out. Hitting does not teach your child anything but fear. You should also not yell or name call your child. Name calling hurts even the youngest child. Besides if you are busy yelling at the top of your lungs what kind of example are you setting for your child?

6. Time Out
Time out makes a good discipline action. For example if rules or broken or your child is acting up you can place them in time out where they must sit quietly without play or interaction for a short period of time. For minor behavior problems time out has had good results because kids don’t like to be out of the action.

7. Get Out
If you’ve reached the end of your rope and you are feeling completely out of control or overwhelmed get out for a bit. Call a friend or family member to come stay with your kids, then get out for a walk, some exercise, or even a cup of coffee. Get help and support when you are at the end of your rope. It’s the best for you and your children.

8. Teach Respect
Don’t underestimate the intelligence of your child. Even toddlers can quickly learn and grasp concepts. Teaching respect should start at a very young age. This building block will reward your child right into adulthood.

9. Show That You Care
Reinforce to your child how important they are. Remember to tell them often that you love them. Tell them when they do a good job and use positive reinforcement every chance you can. Remember quality time is far more important than quantity. Make every moment count.

10. Be Firm
Be firm and consistent. Yes is yes and no is no today tomorrow and the day after. Only with consistency can you expect your child to act consistently. If you are wishy washy or all over the map how can you expect your child to tow the line. You can be firm but gentle at the same time. Remember positive reinforcement goes along ways to developing the behavior you want from your child.

The parenting tips can go on and on. There’s enough information to fill a book, perhaps two. What you need to remember is that no parent is perfect and no parent has all the answers. Do the best you can and if you are in need of help, ask! There are many parenting groups available to give you a hand.

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