You can download this handy 30 Parenting Tips for everyday of the month to put on your fridge to remind you to keep positive every day of the month!

1 Stop Think Act

At Sharing Parenting we share lots of tips and strategies to support parents/carers and professionals to keep the atmosphere calm and to protect children’s self esteem for now and the future adults they will become.

These are only any good if we can remember to use them at the right time (although, none of us are perfect and being reflective and saying sorry are all good characteristics of an assertive parent).

So, what can you do in the heat of the moment, when you are all ‘emotionally flooded’. STOP THINK take a moment to calm down, count to 10, breathe and then ACT.

Our traffic lights are one of our popular handouts on our Raising Toddlers/Children/teens programmes.

2 Don’t Say Don’t

Don’t think of a white rabbit ….I said don’t!

It’s very hard for the brain to not picture the don’t.

Children often only hear the last 2 words of your sentence so don’t even hear the don’t – you are actually asking them to do it!

If you want them to do something ask them what you want them TO DO – stay on the path, pick up your toys, take your plate to the kitchen etc.

3 Fill Your Jug

Did you know parents can be better parents when they take out for themselves?

Imagine your energy as a jug filled with water. When you wake up (after a good nights sleep!) your jug is full.

As your day progresses you slowly empty your jug – you make the kids breakfast and spill the milk on the floor, the children remind you they didn’t do their homework, an unexpected bill comes in the post, as you leave for school your bike has a puncture – before you know it your jug is half full or empty!

How do you think you will cope now when something else goes wrong?

When our jug is empty it is difficult for us to stay calm and model the behaviour we want to see from our children.

So how are you going to fill your jug over the day?

Suggestions from parents on our programmes include: sitting down with a coffee, taking 5 minutes to look at a magazine, phoning a friend for a chat, taking a bubble bath, going for a walk, going for a swim etc.

As we refill our jug we will be more able to cope with life’s challenges and better role models for our children.

Of course life is not always perfect and it is not always possible to fill our jug when we most need it, or we start our day with an empty jug (if we have been up in the night). On those days recognise that you are running on empty and lower your expectations for the day. Instead of tackling the 20 things on your ‘to do’ list, be kind to yourself and only do the essentials for the day and plan (and arrange with someone who can support you) when you can next refill your jug. Your children will be glad you did.

4 Active Listening

We aren’t taught to listen, we ‘just do it’. Some people are better than others. Sometimes as parents, things get in the way and we can be distracted when our children are trying to talk to us.

Listening does not mean fixing, it means supporting our children to work things out. To encourage them and build their self esteem.

There are 2 levels of listening – what the words are telling you and what your child is feeling. It is important to hear on both levels.

Helpful hints:

• Make a conscious decision to listen
• Switch off your own agenda
• Ask open questions (who, what, where, when, how)
• Think of your body language – open posture, nodding, facing child, eye contact when you can.
• Resist giving advice. Remember – you’re not fixing.
• Listen for their feelings (e.g it sounds like you’re really angry)
• If it isn’t an appropriate time for you to listen, make an arrangement with your child to find a suitable time. Make sure you stick to it.
• Think about how it feels when you are not listened to compared to how you feel when you are being listened to.
• Mirror good listening to show your children how to become good listeners.

5 Be a good role model

Of course we all want to be kind and we want others to be kind to us but sometimes when we are stressed (and our jug is empty) it is easy to say unkind things.

Our ‘parenting style’ (look out when we get to P is for…) will have an influence on our children’s self esteem and modelling kind behaviours to them will help them to be kind to others to.

An ‘assertive’ parent will be kind even when they don’t want to, stay calm – count to 10 or STOP and THINK before they ACT and say sorry when they have said or done something they know was wrong.

Kindness is infectious so try to be kind and pass it on.

6 CONNECT

When you are feeling irritated by your child it is usually because they are looking for your attention. Even though you may not be able to give it right away, make a note that they are asking for some one to one time and plan it in.

7 CAPABLE

If you feel like you are getting into a power struggle with your child it’s usually because they don’t feel capable of doing something. Give them choices (and get out of the ring) and plan some time to listen to them.

8 COUNT

If you feel hurt by something your child has said (or keeps saying) it may be because they don’t feel valued in some way. Tell what you really like about them and be specific.

9 Encourage

Give them COURAGE. Focus on the effort that your children are putting into something (however small rather) than the end result.

Encouraging words and actions during the process will have a big effect on your child’s self esteem and their motivation to carry on or have the courage to start something new.

Learning to have a go even if they do not always succeed (or be the best) at something are good skills for life.

You can find more about positive strategies for children and professionals working with families on our courses.

10 Are you or they Emotionally flooded?

When children (and indeed everyone) gets angry they can get what’s called ‘emotionally flooded’. This means all rational thought disappears and is replaced with a rush of strong emotional feelings (such as frustration or anger).

As the brain floods it passes the ears so makes it difficult to listen and reason. We need to support our children to calm down and having a friendly chat or just telling them to ‘calm down’ is probably not going to work at this point – if you’ve ever tried to reason with a child who is in the middle of a tantrum you’ll know what I mean!

Breathing slowly, counting to 10, blowing real or imaginary bubbles, laying down with a teddy on their chest and watching it rise and fall, sitting like a frog, giving yourself a hug are all strategies which will help calm the child, the brain and the situation.

It is a good idea to show your child and practice these strategies before the next outburst when they are calm and will listen and in a better place to understand what you mean.

You and they can then be ready when they are feeling emotionally flooded and you can remind them to blow the bubbles or watch teddy etc. Remember too that children often feel scared and confused after a tantrum or emotionally flooded moment so as soon as they have calmed down be ready to ‘catch them being good’ (however small) and reassure and encourage them positively.

11 Discipline

Effective discipline ‘teaches’ children what is right. This is different from punishment which focuses on what is wrong.

The most important thing you can do for your children and teenagers is to keep open communication and protect their self esteem. This in turn will help them make positive choices in life.

Punishment is based on revenge, is harmful to the parent-child relationship and even though misbehaviours may stop this is because of fear and anger and does not teach children to make positive choices in the future.

Discipline is based on teaching and learning, teaches children new positive behaviours and helps them feel safe and learn to be responsible.

You can find more about these positive behaviour strategies on our courses.

12 Tell Yourself Well Done and recognise what is going WELL

We are all too quick to think about our failings and what we could do better. Swap it around today and build your self esteem too and tick off the things you are doing right. They’ll be more than you think if you are honest with yourself!

13 Remember Adler

What the NEED behind the challenging behaviour?

Sharing Parenting programmes are based on Adler’s theory that ‘all behaviour has a purpose’. Do you often wonder why your child wants your attention as soon as you try to make a phone call? It is likely they are trying to fulfill their NEED to CONNECT with you. At Sharing Parenting we support parents, carers and professionals to help them find the reason (or need) behind any challenging behaviour.

Think of behaviour like an iceberg. The part of the iceberg you can see is the tip the hidden part is bigger (like an upside down triangle).

The BEHAVIOUR you see is often the tipping point. There is usually something else that is behind or led to the behaviour.

Are they hungry? Tired? Feeling scared or insecure? Are they feeling left out? It’s easy to jump to the wrong conclusion or try to deal with the behaviour that is on front of you.

As a first response it’s always a good idea to feed and water them, give them some one to one time and try and listen to what might be going on for them. We call this the NEED behind the behaviour. You can find out more on our programmes.

14 Practice Meditation

When children (and indeed everyone) gets angry they can get what’s called ‘emotionally flooded’. This means all rational thought disappears and is replaced with a rush of strong emotional feelings (such as frustration or anger).

As the brain floods it passes the ears so makes it difficult to listen and reason. We need to support our children to calm down and having a friendly chat or just telling them to ‘calm down’ is probably not going to work at this point – if you’ve ever tried to reason with a child who is in the middle of a tantrum you’ll know what I mean!

Breathing slowly, counting to 10, blowing real or imaginary bubbles, laying down with a teddy on their chest and watching it rise and fall, sitting like a frog, giving yourself a hug are all strategies which will help calm the child, the brain and the situation.

It is a good idea to show your child and practice these strategies before the next outburst when they are calm and will listen and in a better place to understand what you mean.

You and they can then be ready when they are feeling emotionally flooded and you can remind them to blow the bubbles or watch teddy etc. Remember too that children often feel scared and confused after a tantrum or emotionally flooded moment so as soon as they have calmed down be ready to ‘catch them being good’ (however small) and reassure and encourage them positively.

15 Say I instead of You

Using I instead of You gives you ownership over your feelings and actions and helps you to take responsibility for them.

You can model this so your children learn to take ownership of their feelings and actions too and know that they have control over them.

16 Remember MASLOW

Have you heard of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need?

Have you ever wondered why you can’t concentrate on anything when you are hungry or tired?

Maslow’s theories are shown on a triangle. He said unless the NEEDS at the bottom are addressed you cannot move up the triangle.

This would explain why children are often moody when they come out of school – they are tired and need feeding! I had a friend who greeted her twins with a banana each when she picked them up from school – she knew what they needed and how to avoid challenging behaviour on the way home!

This is also why it may take a while for children (and adults) to settle in to a new house, group or job.

At first they may feel unsafe with the unknown or unfamiliar or that they don’t belong – once they start making friends and getting to know a new space just watch them thrive. Want to know more? Book onto to one of our FREE programmes.

17 Count to 10

Before you act. Just a few extra moments will help you to calm down and be able to plan the most effective way to respond.

18 Practice Assertive parenting

What’s your parenting style?

What parenting style did you grow up with?

At Sharing Parenting we discuss 3 different styles:

1. Aggressive – this is the Sergeant Major type, behaviours include shouting and threatening body language such as finger pointing.
2. Passive– Mr or Ms Marshmallow, likely to be giving in quickly to all demands, slumped body language, avoiding eye contact, quiet voice
3. Assertive– Mr/Mrs Firm and Friendly, Respectful, says sorry, prepared to change their mind – this is the one we should be striving to be.

In reality we are usually a little bit of all them and depending on how full your jug is can have a big effect on how you respond to your parenting demands.

Research has found that children living with an Assertive Parenting Style are more likely to have a healthier self-esteem, make better choices and take responsibility, solve problems, manages compromise and disappointment, feel involved and heard, is happy and respectful, accepts what they cannot change and is ready to learn at school.

Remember none of us are perfect but if you can try to use Assertive behaviours most of the time and learn to say sorry when you don’t your children will benefit from it.

Want to know more?

19 Practice child led play

 Did you know that your child is learning when they are playing?

Play teaches so many things – Maths and number work, Speech and language development, science – how things work and why, learning to share and take turns, colours and matching and so much more.

What did YOU play with as a child?

WHO did you play with?

What did you LIKE about the way they played with you?

On our ‘Let’s Play’ programmes we explore this and lots more. It’s always interesting to hear that most people’s favourite play memories did not include expensive toys but were usually free or very low cost such as;  playing in in the sand or mud, collecting shells and pebbles then painting or stacking them, playing in a big cardboard box (is it a house, a spaceship, a car? etc), playing with water (a washing up bowl with old washing up and shampoo bottles and sieves etc),  clothes airer and sheets (making their own tent and personalise an old sheet with colouring pens), threading pasta tubes onto string and making you own jewellery, board games (pick up pre loved classics from your local charity shop or car book sale), treasure hunts and geochaching, playing pooh sticks and splashing in puddles in the rain.

What was your favourtie?

What do your children like playing with you?

Try ‘child led’ play, take the pressure off and just sit with them and comment on what they are doing rather than quizzing them ”You’ve got a red car and it’s moving along the mat”, “The car has got 4 wheels 1,2,3,4”

#TheBestThingYouCanSpendOnChildrenIsTime

20 Use Open Body Language

What does this mean? (I’ll give you a clue – the OPPOSITE of someone on their phone!)

Think about someone you like to talk to – someone who is there for you.

Are they looking at you, is their body facing you, are they nodding (and really listening) to what to what you are saying?

Do they ask open questions like ‘How do you feel?’, ‘What do think about that?’ etc rather than talking about themselves.

If you can do this for your children you will keep the communication open between the two of you – and help them to problem solve.

21 Nurture the toddler and teenage brain

Did you know that how we behave with our children when they are young can determine the way the brain structures? Modelling kindness and respect and supporting your toddler or child to learn such as to wait, take turns, say please and thank you helps them to regulate their first emotions (such as anger) and make connections from the front part of the brain to the back (which helps them learn about others and empathy).   The brain ‘re-prunes’ in the teenage years too – Have you ever wondered why some of your teenagers behaviours are similar to when they were a toddler? At our Sharing Parenting Programmes we look at the changing brain in Raising Toddlers, Raising Children and Raising Teens Let us know if you would like us to book you a FREE place.

22 BREATHE in for 4 seconds, hold for 7 and breathe out for 8 – to destress the brain

Give your mind a ‘spa’ moment and help you to feel the peace.

23 Beware of labelling

Do you have a little queen or princess at home? Or maybe a little monkey!

Labeling is included in our Sharing Parenting programmes and we discuss whether labels are a positive or negative thing.

If you have felt a connection from a relative who has also ways had a nickname for you then this can be a positive thing.

However, labels can be restrictive (even if you don’t mean them to be). For example does a little princess feel permission to climb trees, play with mud, join in with the games at Forest school or messy play? Does the little monkey sometimes want to be recognised for sitting still, concentrating, reading a book or playing quietly?

With a label it is easy for them and others to make assumptions about the person we are labelling.

Remember also if we are given a label it is sometimes easier to live up to it. That’s often why ‘naughty children’ just carry on with naughty ways – they have been given permission without you realising it. So, what can you do instead?

It is always better to describe the ‘behaviour’ not the person (or the deed not the doer). That was a ‘naughty thing’ is better than you are naughty. Or she enjoys playing football rather than ‘she’s the sporty one’. This then opens the options for children to explore – the girl who enjoys football might want to try her hand at art or the boy who is often quiet might want to join in with a noisy activity and this can support them to do so.

24 Encourage instead of praise

It’s not always the end result we are interested. Help your child along the way to build self esteem and confidence. e.g. “I can see you worked hard at that”

25 Learning new things can feel uncomfortable

Try this: Fold your arms, now fold them the other way. It’s not so easy is it?

Feels a bit uncomfortable and much easier to do it the way you have always done it.

Learning new parenting strategies can feel like this sometimes.

We have a saying ‘If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got!’

If you always do things the same way you will always get the same result (however much you will it to be different).

We share lots of tips and strategies on our programmes. Some need a little practice but are always worth the effort (and can help you remember how your children feel when they are learning new things and don’t always get it right the first time).

26 Exercise

Dance, jump, run, walk or whatever gets you moving to change the mood and atmosphere.

27 Play your favourite music

If you find yourself listening to ‘Wheels on the bus’ over and over, maybe it’s time for you to play your tune! Put on some music that makes you smile – your children will enjoy seeing you happy too.

28 Self Talk positively

Are your parenting goals realistic? On our programmes we say “there’s no such thing as a ‘perfect parent”.

As parents we often put unrealistic expectations on ourselves and then feel bad when we don’t live up to them!

As long as you are doing your best that is usually good enough. A bit of positive ‘self talk’ can work here. “I am proud of myself for doing my best, I can do this, everyone has bad days” etc. This is also good ‘modelling’ for your children.

Our children need to know that it’s OK when they make mistakes or have a bad day too.

Keep the behaviour separate from the person and reboot, after all tomorrow is another day.

29 Keep out of the boxing ring

Do you find yourself in a power struggle with your child? Has the house become a battle ground? Suzanne shares some great tips and advice about ‘how to stay out of the boxing ring’ and how to spot the danger signs of being invited into it!

30 Read If I could raise my child again

You can download this lovely poem HERE.