Parent Lounge

We all know that setting boundaries for our children is important, but the majority still have to think twice about how to actually set them.

Children also learn by modeling an adult’s behavior. A parent may stand up for himself/herself, (imposing the boundaries for example), and in the process the child will learn and internalizes it.

Many parents find it difficult to impose boundaries, since they want their child to be independent and prepare for adulthood, but they also desire a certain level of obedience, which is needed at a stage of intense learning.

Here are some suggested practical and helpful tips:

1. Be consistent – if you, or your spouse, set a boundary –   

keep it!. Setting a boundary and then backing down sends the

opposite message, and makes setting future boundaries

more difficult.

2. To avoid the need to back down, think in advance about the

boundaries you set. Make sure they are practical.

If you need to treat your child to enforce the boundary, perhaps

you aimed too high (?)

3. Never use “I told you so”. Always explain the child what is the

rational for  the boundary. It is ok to say to a child “today we will

not go to eat outside since I have to do some work at home”.

This is an important part of the child’s cognitive growth process.

4. It is ok to be angry sometimes, we are all human and being a

parent is a  complicated task. If you do get upset, when you

calm down, always explain  yourself.

Tags: better parenting, parenting informaion, parenting skills

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