Parenting Styles      Some Tips for Healthy Parenting

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DOs AND DON’T OF HEALTHY PARENTING

    DON’T

• DON'T waste time telling children what you don't want them to do, tell them what must be done.
• DON'T waste time threatening them with consequences.
• DON'T always pay your child off with money, gifts, snacks, etc., for good behavior. You will end up creating a "give-me-junkie."
• DON'T over-use one particular consequence - positive or negative; it may backfire on you. If you always send your child to his or her room as a punishment, but the problem continues, switch your consequences. The over-use of any consequence can render it useless.

   DOs

• DO show and describe behavior you want to see and give a reasonable consequence. For example, you might start by saying, "What I want you to do is sit calmly... and because you are teasing your sister... you earned this... as a consequence."

• Examine how you communicate with your child MOST of the TIME and decide if your communication is changing your child's behavior for the better.
• DO say what you mean and mean what you say. Use a serious but calm tone when correcting behavior. For example, you might say, "I know it's hard, but right now I want you to stop talking and take a deep breath.

     Review whether the consequences you are using are actually changing your child's behavior  
     over time.

• DO use non-tangible consequences such as encouragement, attention and time spent together as motivators for good behavior. Most children by age 5 have more toys then they can play with and more than their parents can house. Motivate your children by spending time with them. The memories you make will never break or fade. For instance, spend time in a park or play a game with your 6-year-old the next time he comes home with a positive report from school.
• DO use a variety of consequences to keep your child interested and energized about changing his or her behavior.

REMEMBER:  Slow consistent change is the best kind because is often more lasting. 

Have fun and laugh with your children. 

Be real. 

Love them unconditionally. 

Accept and honor them. 

You’ll be a winner for sure !!!

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