Positive Parenting is about you helping your children learn to be independent, self-confident and socially skilled.

Are you feeling unhappy about how stressed you feel by caring for your toddler? Are you shouting more than you mean to because your child never seems to listen to you and doesn't do as they are told? If you answered yes to the above, then maybe it’s time to find out how to improve your relationship.

Tips for Parents

• Give lots of hugs.
• Spend lots of quality time with children.
• Use ordinary daily activities to teach children new things.
• Encourage children to be independent and do things for themselves.
• Avoid problems by giving your children plenty of interesting and engaging things to do.
• Decide on clear ground rules and set limits on your children's behaviour.
• Praise your children when they behave well.
• Avoid paying attention to minor misbehaviour.
• Give brief, clear and calm instructions.
• Respond to disruptive behaviour immediately, consistently and decisively.
• Speak calmly and firmly to your children when they have misbehaved; tell them what they have done wrong and what would be more acceptable.
• Back up your instructions with logical consequences, quiet time or time-out.
• Expect reasonable behaviour from your children, but do not expect perfection.
• Work as a parenting team; avoid heated arguments in front of your children.
• Learn to stay calm under pressure; take a break if things get too difficult.
• Do not be hard on yourself - you are learning too.
• Take care of yourself- it is easier to meet your children's needs if you also look after your own

There are Parent-Craft classes in the Three Towns, and other support and information is available.

Further help and information

Three Towns Healthy Living - 01294 466901
NHS 24 (24 hr Nurse Consultation & Health Information) – 0845 4 24 24 24
Parentline - 0808 800 22 22 (free confidential help-line for anyone in a parenting role.)

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