Title: Positive Parenting | NIH News in Health
Headings: Positive Parenting
Positive Parenting
Building Healthy Relationships With Your Kids
Building Bonds
Being Available
Meeting Needs

Content: Think about where a child is in life and what skills they need to learn at that time. Perhaps they need help managing emotions, learning how to behave in a certain situation, thinking through a new task, or relating to friends. “You want to help kids become confident,” Crnic says. “ You don’t want to aim too high where they can’t get there or too low where they have already mastered the skill.” Another way to boost confidence while strengthening your relationship is to let your kid take the lead. “Make some time to spend with your child that isn’t highly directive, where your child leads the play,” advises Dr. John Bates, who studies children’s behavior problems at Indiana University Bloomington. “ Kids come to expect it and they love it, and it really improves the relationship.” Bates also encourages parents to focus on their child’s actual needs instead of sticking to any specific parenting principles. It’s never too late to start building a healthier, more positive relationship with your child, even if things have gotten strained and stressful. “ Most importantly, make sure that your child knows that you love them and are on their side,” Metzler says. “