Calm to the storm

The joy of parenting is difficult to speak about without at least a little sarcasm. Blow out diapers on the way out the door, meltdowns in supermarkets, and a constant sense of self-doubt and guilt as you try to love and raise your little ball of crazy. Who could miss the joy, right? Parenting is hard. It is messy, frustrating, and sometimes both physically and emotionally draining. Of course, there are good moments, not only when the children finally nap. Watching your little one grow and explore the world, and standing by them as they learn who they are, is incredible. Often, however, the moments of joy are lost in…

What parenting style is best for your child is something that many people will differ on. A few decades ago, many believed that the only proper way to parent a child was to instil unquestioning obedience via punishments and spanking if needed. Since those days, the norm has changed. Now, society sees spanking as abusive and unkind. In some cases, however, the pendulum has swung to the other extreme. It is not uncommon in our current times to find households where parents give the children free rein. Some little ones are allowed to do what they want when they want it. Despite the controversy, what parenting style is best for…

The difference between peaceful and passive parenting is often blurred. This hazy line means peaceful parenting has become associated with parents watching with besotted smiles as their little whirlwind whips around, creating unchecked havoc. The truth is that peaceful parenting does not mean being passive and waiting for inappropriate behaviour to correct itself. It also does not mean allowing your child’s whims to rule the family. Peaceful parenting is active and engaged. Peaceful parenting is not always Peaceful As a peaceful parent, you will try to bring peace to situations. Your child will sometimes bring the storm as they battle against rules and expectations. The temptation may be to avoid…

The importance of parenting by example is often denied in the tongue-in-cheek adage, ‘ Do as I say, not as I do.” Of course, this never works.  Children are social learners. They copy the behaviour they see demonstrated,  rather than follow verbal instructions. As a parent, this can be hard to watch.  It may feel like your children’s behaviour is a mirror, reflecting all of you.  The good and the bad, from behavioural habits to vocal tics. Children are observational learners There are multiple theories exploring how children learn.  Social learning theory highlights the important role that observation of other people plays in a child’s learning journey. It isn’t always…