Everyone wants to give their best to their child. Yet, despite our good intentions, there are days we feel we are failing as parents. Parenting is no walk in the park.
But there is help. Many parents are choosing online parenting workshops to help them understand their child’s needs and behavior.
“The convenience and affordability of the virtual format are driving the popularity of online parenting courses,” said Caralee Frederic, LCSW, who presents Gottman’s Emotion Coaching: The Heart of Parenting, an online gottman parenting workshops based in Colorado Springs.
Through this and other virtual parenting courses, parents are getting valuable help as they navigate through the sometimes turbulent waters of parenting. If you are searching for an online parenting workshop, look for reputable online workshops that feature live interaction with a counselor who is trained on research-based fundamentals of relationships and parenting.
In this article, we will discuss important parenting skills. Keep in mind that parenting is the process of preparing your child for the future and doing so in a loving environment. No one is perfect and you will stumble at times, but always strive to provide a safe and supportive environment for your children.
Tips to Improve Parenting skills
- Know Your Children’s Strengths
Every child is blessed with unique talents and character traits. Identify them, point them out to your child and encourage them to use these strengths. Young children and teens with parents who acknowledge their strengths are more likely to express more positive emotions, feel more confident and are more satisfied with their lives. They are also able to be less stressed and cope better with obstacles.
- Reward Your Child
Rewarding your child over achievements, big or small, develops a sense of confidence in the child. Examples of rewards are affection, praise, attention and extra time together. Too often, we are quick to punish for bad behavior and slow to reward for good behavior.
- Find Alternatives to Spanking
A growing body of research shows physical discipline does more harm and good. Spanking and hitting do not correct a child’s behavior, instead, they lead to aggressive and antisocial behavior, physical injury, and mental health problems. Instead of spanking, learn how to set limits and identify goals with your child.
Together with your child, think of possible solutions they might have done instead of the bad behavior, and then help them find a way to right a wrong.
- Don’t Do Comparison
When a parent compares a child with peers, the child winds up feeling he or she is “less” and “not good enough.” Long-term effects include anxiety, depression and substance abuse. Comparisons erode self-identity and self-confidence.
Comparisons also create unnecessary rivalry and hostility when, instead, the child should view peers as a positive support system. Even worse, comparing a child to others ruins the parent-child relationship.
- Set Limits On Electronic Devices
American children spend up to 7 hours a day on screen time. Research shows that children under 2 years old should have no screen time and older children should have one to two hours a day.
The negative effects of too much screen time are:
- Insomnia,
- Attention problems,
- Anxiety and depression and
- Digital devices also raise the risk of children being exposed to cyberbullying and phishing.
To decrease screen time, remove TVs or computers from your children’s bedrooms, do not keep the TV on for background noise, and digital devices and TVs should not be allowed at meal times.
Keep a log of how much time is spent in front of a screen. Most importantly, be a good role model.
A Final Word
Parenting is not a cup of tea. It is hard work. It tests your own fortitude and strength of character. Sometimes, you may feel you need a therapist to help you and your children to mend a relationship. An affordable alternative is a parenting workshop, either online or in-person. Parenting workshops shed light on the psychological needs of children and provide valuable relationships skills for parents.
