Positive parenting is about ensuring that parents exhibit behaviors that foster a child's healthy development.

This includes being mindful about what is age-appropriate for your child, including being aware of their current limitations. Connecting and delighting in them is another. This isn’t always easy when often we as parents are tired and running low on energy. However, it is possible with little changes to be the fun parent you would like to be.

The aim is not to try and be perfect but to develop the ability to regulate our own feelings before responding to our child. There is a crucial balance between what one needs as a parent and what the child needs. Recognising this means you are halfway there! Celebration of the abilities and strengths of both parent and child is part of positive parenting, too.

Fortunately, looking for a positive parenting tool is not as challenging as it used to be. In this digital age, more information on this style of parenting is readily available and is accepted.

This article will detail some of the positive parenting tools we have tried and tested throughout the years.

Positive Parenting Tools

One of the important ways to enforce positive parenting is fostering healthy connections between parents and children. Below are some tools that can be used.

1. Use listening partnerships.

A listening partnership is a way for parents to express their feelings about day-to-day situations.

One parent would be the one who decides what to say, while the other parent's role is to listen with respect and warmth.

The goal is to continue doing positive parenting by knowing how to relieve tension.

This parent support tool can bring out the best in a parent as they tend to pinpoint what has caused stress from their children and how best to respond.

2. Try playlisting.

Sometimes, playing with one's child does not require much play, like tickling. Have beautiful moments of connection by eliciting laughter through many ways: laughing, making farting noises, burping, even blowing breath.

This is also a way for some parents to have fresh air when faced with situations that call for a time-out.

This way, children get to have a way to regain composure and be back to their best behavior.

3. Set limits whenever possible.

A powerful parenting tool is knowing when to set limits for almost every situation.

For example, while there's always room to understand a child's unjustified behavior (e.g. not wanting to get dressed), the time should come when a parent should be forward in stating that the child needs to get dressed and that it's essential to do it.

Part of setting limits is understanding the child's needs and knowing what causes their behavior. This provides limitations from a place of love while also keeping the child safe and secure.

4. Employ a tactic called stay listening.

While it's hard to fix what's wrong right away, knowing how to 'stay listen' can help. It is the practice of knowing the right timing for listening.

For example, when a child throws a tantrum, cries, or is fussy, it is important that a parent listens or trusts that the child will figure things out eventually.

Lecturing, therefore, is not an option here. Instead, the vital thing to do is to assist the child in clearing away what causes the upset.

5. Make sure that there are regular Special Time sessions.

No matter how busy one's day is as a parent, always make sure that some time is spent with one's child in connecting and being present for them.

For example, having twenty minutes right after breakfast to talk about the plans for the day and at school helps.

Another option is to wake up thirty minutes earlier than usual to accommodate this particular session, even amidst a hectic morning.

In addition, this works and helps build a great relationship with children.

Positive Parenting in a Digital Age

It is important to note that specific contexts are now involved in raising children in a digital age.

Part of positive parenting is knowing which tech to use and the extent of its usage.

For one, some families have their family media use plans when there are essential activities plugged in during the day alongside exercise, family time, and outdoor play.

Limits are also set when media is used, prioritizing unstructured play done offline. Screen time, when necessary, is also encouraged not to be an 'alone time' for children because parents can participate in video game playing or watching a show.

Another important suggestion is to have tech-free zones. This is a positive parenting tool that helps children learn the importance of boundaries and the proper time for everything.