By Parenting Power

New Year's resolutions are often made to be broken, but when it comes to parenting, we can resolve to get even better any day of the year. Thankfully, our children are with us day after day and we have lots of opportunity to move forward in a positive manner by the time they leave home...if they leave home. Parenting Power suggests the following as skills to be honed each day.

• Value Yourself. We want our children to be proud of themselves and where do they learn their positive or negative self-talk? From us of course. Take pride in what you do well and go easy on yourself when things don't go as planned. Perfectionism is contagious. Value Yourself. 
• Create a Code of Values. Take some time (between 3:00 and 5:00 am?) to think about and create a list of characteristics or values which are important to you and your family. Once you have determined these values, share them with your children in age-appropriate language. Values are not innate but they will be learned. If we don't teach our children values, who will? Create a Code of Values. 
• Parents Unite. We are all busy but we must make the time to check in with our spouse or co-caregiver. We need to know what behaviour is on the horizon and confirm how we will deal with upcoming situations. If we don't our children will learn that no means yes or maybe depending on the parent. Parents Unite.
• Act don't Yak (our daily mantra). What better way to show our children that we can be trusted - we mean what we say. So often when misbehaviour occurs, we are drawn into a lengthy interaction involving tears, screaming etc. that postpones the inevitable consequence. We can save ourselves a great deal of frustration (and our children a great deal of boredom) by moving directly to the consequence. Act don't Yak!

Adding even one of these resolutions to your parenting toolbox will enhance your parenting and do wonderful things for your family. Good luck!

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Parenting Power is a family resource and education company offering in-home workshops and individual coaching for families seeking to create a more satisfying and productive relationship with their children. For more information call 281.2524 or visit www.parentingpower.ca.