Understanding And Implementing The Respectful Approach To Parenting
Over the years there have been many different ways to approach parenting. In the past, it was felt acceptable to spank children or even cane them. It was felt this was an appropriate way to discipline children and ensure they behaved to a specific standard.
However, this is no longer an acceptable approach to parenting. Today, most parents place a greater emphasis on respecting their children and teaching them through an awareness of their own abilities.
Respectful parenting can be summed up as being more aware of your babies and children. By observing how they play and giving them space a parent can find out what they really need. The aim is to avoid jumping to conclusions. In the process babies and children will find their own path and are more likely to become successful and independent later in life.
This attitude extends to every part of your child’s life. It starts with not reacting to a crying baby by assuming they are hungry. Instead, you’ll earn to identify their needs and cater for them, allowing them to grow.
It’s also important that you choose the right early learning centers and schools to help reinforce these ideas.
In short, respectful parenting sees every child as an individual that deserves respect in the same way you would give respect to an adult.
How To Implement Respectful Parenting
The first step is to recognize that your attitudes need to change. The simplest way to do this is to count to ten. Every time you would normally rush to fix something for your baby or child, pause and count to ten.
This gives you a moment to work out what your baby wants and then the opportunity to figure out the next step for themselves.
You can also use the following techniques:
• Speak Normally
Most parents adopt a baby vice and make an array of sounds when talking to their babies and young children. It sounds cute but it’s not the best option. Instead, talk to them in the same way as you would another adult. You can talk a little slower to help them understand.
This encourages them to join in with the discussion and share their views, even when they are very young.
• Invite Them To Help
It’s also important to ask your child if they want to help. Young children are excellent at soaking up knowledge, the more you can expose them to the better.
Respectful parenting allows you to broaden their horizons by inviting them to join in any activity, whether it’s changing their diaper or reading them a story. It doesn’t just show them respect, it encourages them to learn from the process and builds your bond with them.
• Self-Directed Play
If you want your child to gain independence and have the ability to tackle any issue then you need to start young. Give them opportunities to undertake their choice of activity and don’t interrupt unless you have to. It will give you a break and allow them to develop faster. It’s important to start independent play for toddlers as soon as possible, so they can get on the path to maturation at a steady pace.
That’s the bottom line, you want to be there for your child while treating them like an adult. This allows the maximum room to grow and make mistakes. It also gives them your full support and love, letting them know they have a safe environment to try anything.
