In this article, you will learn about Conscious parenting tips for the not-so-conscious parent. The Conscious Parenting model is an approach to parenting that recognizes the interconnectedness of all family members, including children and parents. It values the interdependence of individual family members’ needs, the importance of respectful communication, and how parents’ moods affect their children. A new school of thought among parents who understand that they are responsible for shaping their children’s future behaviour. Below is a list of Conscious parenting tips for the not-so-conscious parent.
1. Pay Attention
Every moment we are with our children, we are either teaching them or teaching them how not to behave. Pay attention in quiet moments as well as during special occasions. In these quiet moments, children truly learn best, and they are the most powerful learning time. Please pay attention to what your child is saying and how you’re saying it. You have a very important opportunity to teach your child here; make sure you do so with kindness and consistency.
2. Encourage Independence
It is important to encourage independence in our children starting at an early age. One of the best ways to do this is with household chores. Children are naturally interested in cleanliness, organization and order–all things that will help to encourage self-reliance. Put your child in charge of dishes, laundry or cleaning the house. When they have taken on a task, ask them what they did and discuss what happened next. Let them make choices– this will help them learn how to make decisions even when they are not in our direct presence.
3. Stay in the Present
One of the most common mistakes parents make is living in the past or worrying too much about the future. We cannot change where we have been, and it’s nearly impossible to anticipate what will happen next. Instead, focus your attention and energy on being with your children. When you interact with your child, they learn from you much more than when you are talking to them. In these moments, when you are paying attention to them, it is how they learn how to pay attention to others.
4. Use Kind and Firm Language
The two most important words that you can use in your communication with your children are “I” and “you.” Children learn through imitation, so they will mimic how their parents treat them. When we say that we love our children, children can sense it is sincere. When we chastise or criticize our children, they tend to feel disrespected.
Be Thoughtful
When we are in the company of others, it is easy to forget that they have needs, desires and feelings. Show your children that they are important to you by listening when they speak and showing them love without expecting anything in return. When your child speaks to you, please do not cut them off and not listen or act as if what they have to say is unimportant. Instead, listen carefully to what your child says and repeat it back to them.
We speak to our children and how we interact with them shows them who they can become. Children can feel when their parents are frustrated, angry, or upset in many cases. By being aware of what you are saying and how you say it–you can help your child achieve their full potential. The Conscious way Parenting model is an approach to parenting that recognizes the interconnectedness of all family members, including children and parents.
