Parenting Skills

  • Set expectations:

Let your child know what you expect of them academically, socially, around the house, personal appearance, religion, rules, curfews, and chores. If you set expectations early on, your child will never have to guess what you want from them.
  • Listen to your child:

Your child needs to know that they have your full attention when they express their opinions, ideas, and views.
  • Read to your child:

It is important to teach your child the importance of reading, and education early on.
  • Encourage your child:

"Children need encouragement like a plant needs water." Children need to know that they are loved unconditionally. Make sure you support all of your children’s decisions.
  • Touch your child:

The importance we place on our words sometimes overlooks the importance of physical contact. A simple hug or kiss expresses the basic feelings of comfort and love.
  • Say "I love you" as much as possible:

Children need to be reminded that their parents love them.
  • Be a role model to your child:

Kids need to have a positive person to look up to. Remember that children usually follow what they see at home.
  • Catch your child being good:

In order to increase behaviors that you like, always notice your child’s "good behavior". Positive statements will increase the child’s good behavior. Say statements like, "I really appreciated it when (name the behavior)" Then the child knows how to get your positive attention again.
  • Open your heart not your wallet:

Kids want you to buy them "stuff" all of the time; giving from the heart will promote self-esteem, and self confidence.
  • Spend quality time not quantity time with your child:

Studies show that spending 15-20 minutes of quality time with your child every day provides feelings of security and well being. When you are with your child be there 100%. Set time away from the phone, TV and other distractions. Focus on your child’s interests, and remember your goal is to have fun.
  • Communicate with your child:

Ask them how their day was and tell them about your day. In order to learn about your child, you must ask them questions.

Be consistent with discipline
  • Talk to other parents:

One way to learn about different parenting techniques is to talk to other parents.
  • Stay calm:

Often times, children can be very frustrating. Parents need to remember not to yell. When a parent yells, kids tend to ignore what is being said.
  • Remember that children are people too:

"If you treat your child with the respect you give to other adults, children will not only learn respect for others, but will develop respect for themselves as well." (Michael K. Tonjum Ph.D.)