7 Simple Parenting Strategies That Work

If you’re a parent, then you are likely interested in finding ways to interact with your children that create a strong relationship, foster positive behaviour, and helps you respond to behavioural problems.

Take a look at any bookstore and the shelves will be full of advice. But figuring out which strategies are actually effective can be a challenge. The American Psychological Association was asked about the best research-based parenting strategies that showed effectiveness in improving behaviour, strengthening the bond between parents and children, and helping parents react to behavioural problems that arise.

The following seven empirically tested parenting strategies were the result.

1. Praise. Studies have shown that the behaviour that gets attention is the behaviour that you’ll get more of. Attention to undesired behaviour — often in the form of reprimands or punishment — will increase undesired behaviour. At the same time, specific, labelled praise of desired behaviours increase that behaviour. Parents should not offer praise indiscriminately. Instead, parents should give specific feedback on exactly what the child did that the parent liked.

2. Ignore Minor Misbehaviour. If a misbehaviour is minor and not dangerous, ignore it. Ignoring when a toddler throws food on the floor or a pre-teen slams a door, while responding with attention when they ask nicely or express their feelings teaches the child that good behaviour is a reliable way to get attention.

3. Understand Child Development. Understanding developmental milestones can help a parent attend to and praise steps towards that milestone. Knowing a four-year old wants to please friends will make you more likely to praise their positive behaviour with friends. At the same time, understanding that young teens typically have concerns about body image, looks and clothes might make it easier to ignore all that extra time spent in front of the mirror.

4. Do Time-Outs Right Along With Quality Time-In. Brief and immediate time-outs have been shown to work best, particularly when paired with parents who are also modelling positive behaviours and praising good behaviour. Keeping calm — often a real challenge at the moment a misbehaviour is occurring! — and praising compliance makes time-outs more effective.

5. Focus on Prevention of Misbehaviour. Paying attention to when a child gets tired or hungry can prevent a large portion of meltdowns. Planning ahead and anticipating potential problems and teaching a child ways to cope with problems when they arise can even eliminate the need to use time-out.

6. Take Care of Yourself First. Children are negatively affected by parental stress, with 86 percent of children reporting that parental stress bothers them. It can seem nearly impossible when you’re busy with the demands of parenting, work and life, but it is essential to take time to exercise, maintain hobbies and connect with friends and partners.

7. Take Time and Do Nothing. Spend time with your child (experts recommend 1 hour a week per child) doing nothing but being with them, acting interested in them, and expressing positive thoughts and feelings to them. Avoid teaching, inquiring, correcting or offering alternative perspectives.

At times, parenting can feel like you’re in in an airplane in turbulence in a thunderstorm and the oxygen masks have dropped. As with on a plane, when parenting it’s important to remain calm, put your oxygen mask on first — before you help your children and give specific instructions of what to do, with lots of positive feedback for good behaviour.

www.generationnext.com.au - Dr Ramesh ManochaIf, 2012

Happy Parenting!

Janet Ingram

Guidance Officer - Years 10, 11, 12

studentservices@ripleyvalleyssc.eq.edu.au 

Being aware of what stress looks like in our

Body & Mind

Stress is the body's physiological and psychological response to perceived threats or challenges, triggering a cascade of reactions aimed at preparing the body for action.

Cognitive / Psychological Response: Racing thoughts or Rumination Distracted or trouble focusing Negative thinking traps Impaired judgement	Emotional Response: Irritable / Moody Feeling Overwhelmed Anxiety Depression Loneliness Worthlessness
Physiological Response: Stomach aches or digestive issues Teeth grinding Low energy or fatigue Dry mouth Muscle tension Sleep difficulties Chronic pan / headaches	Behavioural Response: Avoidance / Withdrawal Procrastination Undereating or Overeating Substance Misuse Habits like nail biting

When we notice these reactions in our mind and body, we need to access our happy chemicals which are naturally occurring in our body to help us feel better. Below is a list of our Happy Chemicals and suggestions on how to access them. 

DOPAMINE  The Reward Chemical  Completing a task Eating food Doing self-care activities Celebrating small wins Achieving goals	OXYTOCIN The Love Hormone Playing with a pet Physical affection Give a compliment Do something nice for someone Hugging your family
SEROTONIN  The Mood Stabiliser  Meditate Swimming Walk in nature Spend time in the sun Mindfulness activities	ENDORPHIN The Pain Killer Laugh Watch a funny movie Eat dark chocolate Essential oils Exercise

Remember, during times of stress - listen to your body and respond with kindness. 

Welcome back to Term 2!  

Emily Leschke

Guidance Officer - Years 7, 8, 9