Are There Alternatives to Traditional Methods of Parenting?

August 4th, 2007 by admin


Are There Alternatives to Traditional Methods of Parenting?
Brief Summary of Longer Article
By Nancy

Today’s parents don’t have all the answers, just as parents in the past didn’t have all the answers. Perhaps successful parenting alternatives today are the parenting styles that mix a bit of the old with a bit of the new.

One Way to Do It Differently

I was told after my first child was born that her first word would be “No.” I decided to make sure that her first word was something different, her first word was “Yes.”

This child was extremely active and did everything early, and got into everything, and tested my patience every day. Saying “No” constantly would have been an easy thing to do. I decided to do something very different when she was very little. If she grabbed something she wasn’t supposed to, I would take the item out of her hand and then I would immediately put something different in her other hand. For example, if she grabbed something off of the bookshelf, I picked up a small toy car or a small rubber ball. Next I would take the book out of her hand and hand her the ball or toy car telling her “Yes, you can play with the ball (or car).”

  • Don’t just automatically always say no. Have alternatives available.

  • On the other side of the issue, don’t do as so many adults seem to do today and say yes to everything.

    • This Method Altered for Older Kids

    Older children need a bit more added to this method.

  • Communication is very important here. Explain the ‘whys’ but also give them some alternatives. It is necessary to talk and explain a bit more for the older children.

  • Decide which rules are very important and must always be followed, and what rules are open to negotiation.

  • Talk with your child, not to your child. There is a difference in the two ways of communicating.Find out who your child is, and be sure to say that you love them.

    • Old and New Styles of Parenting

    Life seems to go very fast today, and children are growing up faster than at any time in the past. Be sure to let your kids know that you will always be there for them.

  • Chores and Rules are very important. However, carrying this to extremes will have the opposite effect from what you intended.

  • Talk honestly and openly with your children - because they are people too. They are smarter than you think they are.

  • If put into action, these techniques can greatly strengthen your relationship with your children. There are also other steps to helping children with their choices in life.

    • Copyright © June 2007, All Rights Reserved, Nancy,
    www.parentinggoldenrule.com

    Several of my articles have been featured on EzineArticles.com.
    As Featured On Ezine Articles

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