Positive Parenting starts with awareness of our own habits, behaviors and actions.  It also involves awareness of surrondings, environment, family and friends. Positive Parenting is a lifestyle.

A lot of our personality traits are learned. This is good news. This means your children can learn positive personality traits such as:  respect for themselves and others, patience, kindness, caring, etc. Start thinking of what kind of traits do you show on a daily basis? Are you kind, respectful to yourself and others, are you patient, caring  and warm?

The best preventive method we can use with our kids is to live a positive, happy lifestyle. If your children see you happy and treating others with respect and kindness, they will follow suit.

The questions you see below will help you become aware of your daily actions. Use these questions daily for at least a week to learn about you and your actions. Keep a journal. Learn what changes you need to make to have a happy home.

Remember, Happy Parents = Happy Children!

1. How many negative statements did I say today? EX: I can’t wear these pants I look fat.

1. How many curse words did I use today?

1. How many negative actions did I do today? Example: How many times did I roll my eyes when my daughter/son keeps asking why? Kids watch non-verbal behaviors. As parents, we need to watch what we say and how we act.

1. How many times did I give off an attitude?

1. How many times did I not explain what was wrong with my child’s behavior. Did I not explain why they were punished? Did I use terms such as: Because I said so, Because I’m the adult, Because I’m mom/dad, I don’t have to explain, etc. Remember, if a child doesn’t know what they did wrong, they will keep repeating it.

1. Did I show love today? How did I act towards my spouse today? Did I give a hug, a kiss, hold my child’s hand, said I love you, etc.  Parents, are you treating each other with respect? Children are visual learners. Parents, if you’re not loving and kind to each other, the children will see this and imitate this.

1. Are your behaviors consistent? Consistency, routine and schedules are the best ways to help prevent discipline issues. As parents, we need to learn to do what we say. Example: If I say “no snacks before dinner” then I must follow the rule for it to stick and have any meaning.

1. Watch your environment. Are you bringing negative/toxic people into your household?