It is always a challenge for any individual to practice parenting given its many complicated dealings with situations and the child itself. Not all can master parenting in one sitting – in fact no one can! However, this very reason is the essence of “parenthood” making it somewhat tough but at the same time, enables to bring out the best of our abilities.
Kids are most often in a “wandering” and “wondering” stage where they are not certain where they can actually place themselves in a situation or where they actually qualify in terms of the relationships that they have – within the family and in society as a whole. Because of this, kids are most often filled with a feeling of uncertainty that leads to insecurity and negativity.
The challenge posed to parents is this, therefore: how do we respond positively when our kid starts to get negative? First, be reminded and be convinced that negativity should have no room in your child’s disposition especially because who he becomes in the future is dependent on his molding stage which is childhood.
Responding positively to our child’s negativity doesn’t mean that we would blind-side our child into thinking that everything is perfect. A child can still see reality but in a more constructive way depending on how you make him see it.
Even if it means a great deal of convincing, parents should be very patient in explaining to the child that faulty thinking is not right and has no room in his attitude. If possible, give your child some concrete examples of how positivity brought out a better result as compared to negativity.
It may need a lot of time to convince your child out of the faulty thinking of having negativity given the fact that he may be having a hard time understanding everything you are saying. But if you only stay firm in your conviction at challenging negativity and try to become a living example of positivity in life, in no time at all, you will see great changes in your child.
Perhaps at one or some point, your child may question what you are trying to make him understand and accept. He may even justify it as just a programmed gesture on your part because you are his parent. If this happens, continue to persuade him and tell him that even with regards to other kids, you stand firm on your belief that positivity is the better solution.
The only way to ever make your child develop a good deal of confidence, security and hopefulness in life is when you as a parent are able to reinforce it within him over and over again, if need be. Persuasion and persistence goes hand in hand in creating a wonderfully positive child for him to become one positive asset as an adult one day.
Author Katherine Thompson enjoys sharing on topics including teens’ boot camp. Learn how to be a better parent by visiting her website about my problem children.
Right from childhood, it is ingrained in us not to vent our anger, especially in public. However real the cause for anger, as children we were encouraged to avoid displaying it, or risk being chastised. Sometimes, as a parent now, you deal with your angry, hostile child by getting angry yourself. At times you may even apply unreasonable punishments because of your emotional state. You are responding to anger with anger, and then feeling guilty about it later. Normally an angry child is most likely to respond negatively if you deal with him sternly.