By Power of PositivityPublished on February 07, 2013Last modified December 01, 2022
If you’d like to add positivity to your parenting toolbox, you will do an excellent service to yourself, your family, and your stress level. Implementing these 20 positive parenting tips is a solid method to bring more happiness into your home and will significantly expand your child’s and family’s emotional well-being.
1 – Give Positive Attention While Spending Time With Your Child
When you’re hanging out with your kids, give them your undivided attention. Turn off the computer and cellphone so that you won’t be distracted. Focus on what they say. Ask them questions. What are they excited about? Is there anything they’re worried about? When you’re spending alone time with your child will make them feel like they’re the most crucial person in the world.
Spend time alone with your child, giving them your undivided attention
Plan fun activities that the entire family can participate in and enjoy
Take them to places outside your neighborhood to expand their horizons, such as museums, parks, beaches, camping trips, mountains, etc.
Encourage your child daily which will help them to prosper in their daily lives
Talk “with” your child instead of talking “at” them
Take the time to listen to what your child has to say and value the shared information
Urge your child to open up about discussing large and small problems with you
Don’t put your child down while they address any concerns or issues they are dealing with
Plan some time each day to have a conversation with your child to discuss how their day went, and any possible difficulties they may have encountered.
3 – Schedule fun things for your family
Find activities that your entire family can do together. Take your kids to places that are family-friendly. Do activities that build your family and create memories such as the following:
Museums
Parks
Camping trips
Hiking
Fishing
Beach trips
When you do these activities together, it creates a unique family bond.
4 – Build family traditions
Unique family traditions are a positive way to enhance your relationship with your kids. Whether it’s special holiday foods, or summer vacation traditions, or just a weekend tradition of watching a movie every Friday night, your kids will love looking forward to your family’s particular activity.
5 – Show Your Love Through Daily Action (maybe one of the easiest positive parenting tips to implement)
Show your child your love and support every day. Make them feel loved and cared for by your words and actions. Like everyone, kids have bad days when they feel grumpy or irritable. Give them some space on those days, but hug them, too. Even if they aren’t pleasant to be around, find a way to share encouragement or show love to them. Make their favorite cookies or leave them a little love note on their pillow to show your love through your actions.
Show your love and support for your child daily as this will let your child know that you love and care for them
Frequently give them hugs on good and bad days
Continuous show your interest in your child’s life
6 – Build Healthy Confidence And Self-Esteem
Help your child feel good about themselves. Show them respect and empathy. Accept them as they are: their strengths and weaknesses. Don’t see your child as an extension of yourself but as a unique individual growing and changing daily. They need encouragement to be themselves rather than what you want them to be.
Teach your child that it’s good to feel positive about themselves
Take out the time to speak and show your child that you know they are special
Recognize and find positive confidence in them
7 – Continuously Promote Positive Values And Attitudes
Kids learn a lot from their parents. Positive parenting involves teaching your kids good attitudes and values in life. Teaching them values such as these:
Honesty
Kindness
Empathy
Courage
Compassion
Independence
Respect
Patience
It’s essential that you model these qualities for your kids. They will learn to be patient if you are patient with them. They’ll learn to be kind when they see you being helpful to them.
Here are some skills you should model for them:
Teach your children at an early age how to care for and respect themselves along with others around them
Instruct them on the right and wrong things
Try to minimize negative comments and give more positive comments
Talk “with” your child instead of talking “at” them. Like you, your kids don’t like it when you aren’t fully engaged. Take the time necessary to listen–and really hear–what they’re saying and value what they share. Set aside some time daily to find out how their day went.
Demonstrate excellent communication by being a good listener and asking the right questions. Stay positive during communication, even if they share things you don’t like. Don’t minimize their problems, respect the fact that it’s important to them.
9 – Provide positive correction
Don’t be afraid to correct your child. A child who is never corrected is a selfish individual. Correction isn’t punishment. Studies show that having a favorable discipline structure at home helps your child fit well into the real world as a happy and healthy person.
Be sure your child feels your support and love even amid your correction. When you do this, your child will learn that correction is necessary but not scary. You don’t need to make corrections a big deal; a simple word or look can help. Correct your child privately so they don’t feel embarrassed. Never demean your child. Teach them that everybody messes up once in a while and needs help to get back on track.
10 – Teach your child to be unselfish
If you’ve ever heard a little child yell, “Mine” you know kids aren’t born unselfish. Positive parenting involves teaching your kids to be selfless. You can begin preparing your kids to be charitable at an early age. Here are age-appropriate areas to help your kids learn to be unselfish.
Young kids:
Share their toys
Learn to wait their turn
Not screaming when they don’t get their way
Older kids:
Be responsible even when it’s not convenient
Serving others first
Give instead of always taking
Taking care of their books and toys
Of course, you need to model unselfishness to your child. They learn a lot by watching you relate to others and to them. So, be sure you’re learning unselfishness along with your kids.
11 – Model good eating habits for your kids
Many parents don’t stop to consider their menu as “parenting tips.” But, eating well for a lifetime begins as home!
Kids can learn good eating habits from you. Instill a love for veggies, fruits, and other healthy snacks. Encourage your kids to help with the family’s food prep. Kids can cut salads and make sandwiches. Let them help you with menu planning for family meals. These positive experiences will encourage a healthy view of eating and food.
12 – Emphasize being physically active
Studies found that small changes in your home help your kids stay more physically active. A home gym, exercise bike, or sports equipment near the front door promotes activity. Model physical activity for your kids. Do fun games with your kids that require being active like jump rope, hopscotch, or a pick game of basketball.
13 – How to trust their gut instinct
Your children need to learn how to trust their gut instincts, or some call it intuition. It will keep them safe and happier. Explain what gut instincts are and give them some examples in your life where you trusted or didn’t trust your gut instinct. When they do this, tell them you’re impressed by how they listened to their intuition in the situation.
Here are twelve signs that you might be a helicopter parent.
14 – Self-control
This parenting tip is essential.
Your child can’t control many things in life, but they have control of themselves. Kids can feel like they don’t get to get many choices but can make choices about their attitudes and behavior. If they’re losing a card game, they can throw their cards up in the air and stamp out of the room or express their disappointment in a self-controlled way.
Parents model self-control or the lack of it all the time. When you’re in traffic, and another motorist cuts you off, your child will learn it’s okay to lose control while driving if you scream obscenities at the driver. Modeling self-control will help your child the most.
15 – Don’t give up
It’s human nature to want to quit when stuff is tricky. Without nagging your kids, encourage them not to give up even when things get hard. Kids need to learn to press on whether it’s a difficult chore at home or finishing their school project. Never belittle their efforts even though small; simply encourage them; they’re doing a great job. Walk with them through the process, one step at a time, until they’re finished. They’ll feel relieved but also proud. Over time, your child will grow more determined to keep going when things are hard.
16 – Encourage your kids to keep learning
Learning is a lifelong skill. Encourage your kids to learn everything they can about life. Encourage your kids’ curiosity. Find answers to their questions. Learn together as a family. Play games that emphasize knowing information. Instill a love for learning and exploring the world by being a role model for your children.
17 – Positive parenting means that children can trust you
It’s essential that you win your child’s trust. If you always break your promises, your child will learn that your word isn’t trustworthy. Not showing up for your child’s school play or missing their swim is a big deal to a kid; it means they can’t trust what you say. Try to keep your promises. All parents miss an event once in a while, but if it’s a constant habit, you will erode your kid’s trust.
18 – Teach them to do work
It sounds strange, but working doesn’t come naturally to kids. Teaching them how to do small chores around the house builds their confidence and sense of contribution to the household. Even small children can learn how to help. Older kids may need motivation and encouragement. You can give them certain privileges once they’ve cleaned their room or mowed the grass. It may feel like a battle, but long term it’s worth it. A teacher shared that the kids in her classroom who had to do chores at home were the more mature kids in or her class.
Chores for young kids:
Put their toys away
Make their bed with some help
Carry their plate to the sink
For older kids:
Mow the grass
Clean up their room
Put their clean clothes away
Unload the dishwasher
For teens:
Wash their own clothes
Take out the trash
Feed and walk the dog
Clean and vacuum their bedroom
19 – Learn how to say no
This is hard even for some adults, but kids can learn how to disagree in a positive way. Model the correct way to disagree or how to refuse food politely. They’ll learn how to speak kindly but firmly about their preferences as they watch you.
Teach them to disagree by saying, “I know what you mean, but I don’t agree with you” or to refuse food by saying, “No, thank you, I don’t want any spinach.”
Give them opportunities to practice at home. Of course, your child may say, “No thanks, mom, I don’t agree with you that I need to clean my room.” You may need to teach them that chores aren’t optional. Learning how to disagree and say no politely builds confidence in your child.
20 – Learning how to express their emotions properly
Kids have a lot of emotions. You can teach them how to properly express emotions like anger, fear, or disappointment. Modeling your own feelings is crucial, but you can also give them tools to help like profound breathing experiences to let go of anger or going for a walk when they feel disappointed.
Older kids can be taught journaling as a way to express their feelings. Emphasize the need to express their feelings privately instead of venting on social media. They may regret it later. A journal allows them the chance to vent without repercussions.
BONUS POSITIVE PARENTING TIP: Teach children how to spend time alone
Final Thoughts on Practicing These Positive Parenting Tips
Positive parenting involves time, energy, and commitment. It’s the hardest job you’ll ever have, but the most rewarding one. They’ll learn from you as you model good listening, communication, and positive values to your kids. Your investment in your kids’ life is invaluable. Your positive parenting will help them grow up to be happier adults.
Letting my children know how much I love them and care for them. Be as open as I can be with them, and being open with me without the worry of judgement, that I'm there for them. Also letting them know how proud I am of them and never belittle them. I have 4 great daughters!!!!!!!!!! Love you all, Mom
YOU KNOW I AM A DEVOICED PARENT AND MY CHILDERN ARE GROWN, I HAVE DONE ALMOST EVERYTHING YOU HAVE SAID. BUT MY CHILDERN HAVE BASICLY CHOOSE TO IGNORE ME NOW. MY EX IS AN ABUSSER TO ME AND THEM, BUT BECAUSE HE HOLDS THINGS OVER THEIR HEAD, I HAVE NO CONTACT WITH TWO OUT OF THREE. WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG HERE? I SO MISS THE TWO THAT HAVE CHOOSEN NOT TO BE IN MY LIFE.
I have a schedule for "family time", having dinner together with "no phones allowed" and planning ahead a "movie party" for some weekends including snacks at least once a month. At the same time, we walk long trails at some parks.
Our passion is to serve and bring the best possible positive information, news, expertise and opinions to this page. We want to help our community find and shine their inner light - the truth of love, light, and positivity that is within us all! Read more about Power of Positivity...
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
i have ahappy story time with my 11 year son daily during night. This gives us good bonding & peaceful sleep.
Letting my children know how much I love them and care for them. Be as open as I can be with them, and being open with me without the worry of judgement, that I'm there for them. Also letting them know how proud I am of them and never belittle them. I have 4 great daughters!!!!!!!!!! Love you all, Mom
Nyc 🙂
YOU KNOW I AM A DEVOICED PARENT AND MY CHILDERN ARE GROWN, I HAVE DONE ALMOST EVERYTHING YOU HAVE SAID. BUT MY CHILDERN HAVE BASICLY CHOOSE TO IGNORE ME NOW. MY EX IS AN ABUSSER TO ME AND THEM, BUT BECAUSE HE HOLDS THINGS OVER THEIR HEAD, I HAVE NO CONTACT WITH TWO OUT OF THREE. WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG HERE? I SO MISS THE TWO THAT HAVE CHOOSEN NOT TO BE IN MY LIFE.
I have a schedule for "family time", having dinner together with "no phones allowed" and planning ahead a "movie party" for some weekends including snacks at least once a month. At the same time, we walk long trails at some parks.
Simple things but sometimes we forget with our busy life and shedules
Good advice!
good advise
I would like to thank you for all your interesting posts, they are a guidlines for me and my small Italian blog.
its a mind blowing blogger, awesome ……… i am appreciate to your blog