Gentle Parenting: Raising Children with Love and Respect

Raising a tiny human is one of the most surreal experiences one gets in life. However, it is also one of the most daunting tasks you'd be assigned. New parents are always conscious of how they will raise their children. Some unconsciously adapt to the eating style from their childhood experiences, while others try to imitate how their parents raised them.

However, while there is no one way to parent a kid, there is undoubtedly a medium that needs to be adapted. What is it? Gentle parenting, of course! If you are a new parent feeling overwhelmed right now and want a guide on this medium of parenting, then you have landed on the right page. Hop on below to read a thorough guide on why raising children with love and respect is essential and all the tips you can acquire.

What is Gentle Parenting?

Gentle parenting is an approach that recently made rounds in the parenting world but should have been adopted long ago. This approach encourages a partnership between you and the child to make choices based on an internal willingness rather than external pressures.

This parenting style allows a parent to become aware of the behavior they are directing toward their child and welcome their emotion, encourages compassion, and accepts the child as a capable human being on their own.

Why is Gentle Parenting Important?

Gentle parenting is an accessible space for children to see how their behaviors impact others, how they react, and how they can respond. This is an ideal way for parents and children to work and grow together as both individuals are new to their respective roles. In such gentle parenting, children learn to consider how their behavior might influence or impact the behavior of others and what outcomes might come out of several situations. Here are some fantastic benefits that come out of gentle parenting:

·     Reduced Childhood Anxiety

This form of parenting has proven to reduce the likeliness of a child experiencing any form of social or childhood anxiety. Parents who provide supportive ways for their children to deal with situations and give them an encouraging environment at home allow their children to understand what to expect from their parenting.

·     Improved Parent-Child Bond

Gentle parenting helps parents create a strong bond with their children. Through this means of parenting, children understand that their parents are their most extensive support systems and hence help them develop a healthy relationship with them. This helps children understand healthy relationships and can help them differentiate the negative ones from them.

·     Reduced Childhood Anger

Children raised with blame and punishments often develop anger and resentment. These emotions cover up vulnerable emotions like fear, shame, and low self-worth. Through gentle parenting, parents can honor these emotions and understand from where these emotions are rising from. All this can help reduce anger issues in children and ensure that they are seen and heard.

·     Positive Social Skills

Children learn essential skills like respect, empathy, and boundaries through gentle parenting. When young children develop these skills, they know how to interact with those around them. This helps create a parenting style to help children develop impeccable social skills and regulate themselves in challenging situations.

·     Use as a Motivational Tool

Parents can use this form of parenting as a motivational tool to help their kids evaluate and assess the different realities of life and its emotions. For example, if any child is having difficulty controlling their anger or any other emotion, a gentle parent would focus on understanding why their child is struggling rather than demeaning them. This ultimately allows the children to deal with their feelings and overcome them.

Tips and Tricks to Implement Gentle Parenting

While gentle parenting is an excellent medium to adapt to, it is one sector that requires consistency and patience, among many other essentials. If you are someone who wants to know more about gentle parenting and the love and respect you can bring forward towards your child with it, we have some tips and tricks covered for you:

·     Stay Calm

Parenting is not easy, and sometimes, you'd lose your mind over something your little one did. However, during high stress, you must put together a calm composure.

A parent can react more appropriately to the situations and understand their kids' behaviors by remaining composed.

·     Reward Charts

Children learn from their mistakes; hence, when they have made a mistake once, it is essential for you as a parent to help them re-evaluate the situation and correct it. Moreover, the next time your child ensures not to repeat the same mistake in somewhat of a similar you can reward them with something for them to remember the act.

·     Plan for Negative Situations

When an event that might lead you to lose calm in your children occurs, it can be hard to maintain your composure. Hence, it is always essential for you as a parent to plan for everyday negative situations beforehand and evaluate how you will react to them.

·     Work Together

Gentle parenting helps develop a strong relationship and bond between the children and their parents. Hence, this allows the kids to realize that their parents are on their team and they can work together with them in any life situation, no matter what.

·     Be a Positive Model for Kindness

While parenting your children gently is essential, it is also important to remain a good role model. Your children pick up or imitate all you do, so you should focus on staying a positive role model. Parents who demonstrate empathy, kindness, and compassion show their children how to lead and approach their relationships.

Wrapping Up!

Parenting is a daunting experience. It is challenging to raise a child and ensure they walk the right paths in life. However, a gentle parenting style and showing them love and respect can be significant in ensuring that your little ones grow into unique humans. We hope this article was sufficient enough to add to your knowledge. Our staff at Healthy Kids Care at Sunrise are here to answer any questions or concerns.

In Health,

Dr. Atousa