One of the biggest challenges every parent face today is the defiant nature of children irrespective of their age. Parents are often confused about how to react to such behavioral issues. Most of them throw out a full-blown tantrum refusing to think from the child’s perspective, making the situations worse. Some children might have challenging behaviors irrespective of good parenting strategies, but the adults can make changes in many children’s lives in the way they respond, react, or interact with them.

I am Elizabeth John, Child & Adolescent Counselor , Lifecare Counseling Center, talking about some excellent parenting strategies to cultivate positive behavior in children. All the positive strategies, build a better bonding with your child to improve their self-confidence, self-respect, and respect for you. Help children to manage their behaviors right from scratch.

Acknowledge your child’s efforts

Do not hesitate to appreciate your child’s efforts, whatever it be. Be happy to say I am proud of you for being what you are. Appreciate even for the daily deeds like doing the homework early, organizing their rooms, or being good at home. Appreciate positively like, “it was so good that you helped your sister to cross the road”. Make use of positive body language like smiling happily, or showing your thumbs up to support positive behaviors.

Alternates for spanking

Be patient enough to control yourselves for aggressive child behavior. Train yourselves with super effective alternates like reinforcing small changes in child behavior with love, or create a positive behavior support system at home focused on specific goals like eating dinner neatly, organizing their own rooms, etc.

Show your love

Show your love to children! Make them feel special and loved! Smile at them when they come to your room, make them feel that you are happy in their company. Listen to what they talk. Ask about their day at school, and open your arms to hug them and make them feel the warmth of love.

Teach them to be proud of themselves

Inculcate that every individual is unique and everyone is special from a specific perspective. Comparing your kid with others is a very unhealthy practice. You should be focused to find out your child’s interests and stay beside them to develop those interests. Make them understand their values and teach them to have self-respect.

Be a role model for good behavior

Practice self-control and compassion, be a role model for good behavior for your child. Try to be open minded and don’t judge your child if you find a mismatch on thoughts, values, or ideas. Create a friendly family ambiance that they open up their issues when they face a problem for your support.

Be reliable to offer them only what you can do. Try think from your child’s perspective and you can easily transform into a loving friend, from a strict parent. All the best! Stay happy!