Sometimes, we don’t realize that in some ways, we are already leaving negative impacts on our kids which then causes generational negativity in the long run. If we don’t break the cycle, our kids are likely to pass on similar negative behaviors to others and their own children as they grow up.
This can also leave negative impacts beyond childhood in different aspects of a kid’s life, may it be education, career, lifestyle, and more. That is why it is important for us parents to overcome negative thinking.
This is a continuation of our discussion about our own negativity and how it badly affects our child’s success but in today’s episode, we’ll be focusing on how we could overcome negative thinking and be a better parent.
Take care of your own mental health and replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
Like what I always say to my friends, mental health is important which is why we should all prioritize and take care of our own mental health. I firmly believe in the significance of mental health as it stands as an integral aspect of our overall well-being.
As we continue to raise awareness, we have to emphasize that just as we take care of our physical health through exercise and nutrition, nurturing our mental health is equally significant. By dedicating time and effort to understanding ourselves, managing our stressors, and seeking support when needed, we empower ourselves to be better parents.
In line with this, you also have to figure out and set boundaries for the betterment of your mental health – this is a non-negotiable. However, we should also keep in mind that there are things that we simply cannot control. What we can do, however, is to learn from our experiences to grow more as better individuals.
We should look at all of our experiences as blessings or opportunities to take care of ourselves better. It's like upgrading our life perspective to see things as chances for growth and good vibes, no matter what. It's not about having it all figured out, but more about moving forward with a clear sense of why we're doing what we're doing and really being present in each moment.
Practice mindfulness and meditation.
I know most of us are busy with various things in our lives but we actually have time. We have more time than we think we have. The good thing is that we just need 10 minutes daily to practice mindfulness, whether it is through doing breathwork, listening to a calm app, doing EFT tapping, going for a nature walk, or more.
Even simply sitting there and doing meditation helps you have a calmer mind. As for me, I pray everyday and it actually helps me throughout the day. The focus that comes with meditation has this amazing ability to melt away the stress and worries, leaving you with a much calmer state of mind.
Hone the positive qualities.
There are parents who tend to solely focus on all the wrongs that their kid has done but that shouldn’t be the case. However, this approach can have unintended consequences.
This is not to say that we are going to ignore the wrong actions of our kids but what we want to do is to hone their positive qualities instead while addressing their issues. Otherwise, it's just going to be friction laden and frustrating.
Better parenting involves a good balance between nurturing and guiding children towards positive growth while also addressing behavioral issues. We should thus adopt a more holistic approach to parenting.
Active listening is not easy.
In establishing better parent-child relationships, it’s essential for parents to be active listeners. Active listening may not be easy but it surely is a good way for your child to feel heard and even be seen. It will help you understand your kids from a clearer perspective.
The core idea here is that active listening is not just about hearing the words spoken by your child but also about understanding their emotions, thoughts, and perspectives. And this is one of the best tips I've ever given parents when social reasoning is a problem.
When parents practice active listening, they create an environment where their child's feelings and thoughts are genuinely valued. This form of listening requires focused attention, where parents set aside distractions and give their child their full presence.
The importance of positive reinforcement.
Help your kids in reinforcing positive behaviors because their brain is not completing that process. I think what most parents fail to do is being consistent. If you really want to create change, you can’t just give up easily.
Being consistent means reinforcing desired behaviors. Consistency involves establishing a set of expectations and boundaries and then consistently upholding them.
This positive reinforcement encourages children to continue making choices that contribute to their growth and well-being. When children experience the benefits of their positive actions, they are more likely to repeat those actions in the future.
Let us continue breaking the cycle of negativity as a step towards being better parents. Let us show our children that positive change is possible, that growth is achievable and that we are committed to fostering a positive and supportive environment.
Links and Resources:
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