Appreciate where your child is developmentally- at this time. Don’t push the river when it comes to growth, learning and development. It is easy to see the potential for your child’s development, but the truth is that development requires individual readiness, appropriate life experiences and timing. As long as your child isn’t hurting themselves or anyone else, relax for a minute. Rather than expunging, finding fault with or stressing over your child’s current state of being, accept it.
Embrace the reality of where you child is at, and provide structure and supports for your child. Pay attention and listen to what your child is feeling and expressing. At every age and stage and over the course of time, necessary learning opportunities present themselves and lessons are learned.
As a parent, not everything is within your parental control. Your child will make mistakes, get stuck and need direction and guidance. Natural consequences are a part of life and naturally teach best when applied well. However, when the time comes and you take parental control by setting consequences for your child, make sure that the consequences are logical, reasonable and age-appropriate. Try and set them when you are calm and rational, or wait until you return to an emotionally neutral state. Weigh out behavior infractions so that discussion, dialogue and reflection are welcome. This will help your child continue to learn and grow, rather than simply feel punished or disciplined. Ask your older child and teen to help set their own natural consequences, whether positive, negative or some combination of both. This helps your child to feel empowered and a part of the solution. Allow your child to grow at their own pace while you do all that you can to keep and teach growth, safety and healthy choices at home. Those early lessons will translate to your older child, teen and adult child rooted from a history of care and learning that you taught along the way. Live Inspired!® Nina~ www.LiveInspiredwithNina.com Please leave your comments about this post. Follow me on Twitter @: Nina Sidell and Like me on Facebook @ Nina Sidell Inspiring Lives Psychotherapy and Life Coaching. Look for my book, Parenting for Life! Coming Soon!