Positive parenting: 10 points to start

Catherine Gueguen offers 10 points to start positive parenting, inspired by the Triple P program of positive parenting practices.

These few simple tips are intended to create strong and nurturing family relationships, good communication, and positive attention to children to establish a family environment that offers love, support, and harmony.

1. Time

When your child wants to show you something, stop what you're doing and give him some attention.

It's important to spend some time with your child frequently doing things you both enjoy.

 2. Hugs and physical attention

Give your child plenty of physical attention: hugging, cuddling, or holding children's hands charges them with the feel-good hormone oxytocin.

 3. Exchanges on aspects of daily life

– Talk to your child about things that interest him and share aspects of your day with him.

– Practice active listening to hear “hidden” messages

– Tell each other your 3 pleasures of the day before going to bed: “what were your 3 favorite moments of the day?”

 4. Encouragement

– Encourage your child descriptively: “Thank you for doing this/that”

– Say how you feel: “It’s nice when you…”, “I’m glad to see that…”

 5. A positive and stimulating environment

Create a positive and stimulating environment conducive to learning (modeling clay, coloring, cardboard boxes, costumes, blankets for making tents, etc.)

6. Lead by example

Young children learn by absorption: teach your child new skills by embodying them daily and allowing them to practice them.

7. Set boundaries with respect

Children prefer rules to limits: rules are more effective when they are few, fair, and applied according to the age and development of the child.

8. Speak positively

If your child is behaving inappropriately, stay calm and tell him clearly that you want him to stop and what you would like him to do instead.

“Stop, we play on the floor with the toys” (for a child who throws them)

“Stay close to me in the store”

“Speak in a pleasant tone and with words” (for a child who shouts or claps)

 9. Realistic expectations

It is inevitable to encounter discipline problems: trying to be a perfect parent may lead to frustration or disappointment.

 10. Take care of yourself and your couple

Try to find time each week to decompress or do something you enjoy.

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