Parenting Toolbox Series

I’ll always remember the feeling of awe when I held my daughter for the first time.   No one can prepare you for the indescribable joy!  Becoming a parent is truly a gift.  It is equally true that no one can prepare you for the challenges that await parents after bringing baby home and navigating each new stage of their development.  I’ve read books about each stage, and I’ve read MANY parenting books in the last decade.  I’d like to share a few principles from the ones that have yielded the most positive impact for my family recently. 

 Coaching is a critical role for parents.  Coaching your young child to verbalize and label emotions will build a foundation for emotional intelligence.   It can be difficult to put ourselves in a child’s shoes, but validating your child’s emotions is key to helping them feel safe, and to move forward from disappointments. 

John Gottman states, “researchers have found that even more than your IQ, your emotional awareness and your ability to handle feelings will determine your success and happiness in all walks of life, including family relationships”.

Connection with your child from an early age is of utmost importance.  Connection helps your child’s brain grow.  Positive consistent interactions strengthen the connective fibers between the different parts of the brain, and increase your child’s capacity for self -regulation, including the ability to balance emotions, focus attention, control impulses and increase empathy. 

Finally, no parent is perfect.  We make mistakes, and when we do it is important to take action to repair the connection with our child.  It’s important for the sake of our relationship, and also to model a crucial skill that will help children in other relationships as they grow up. 

Parenting is not easy, but it is extremely rewarding.  Compass Counseling is providing workshops throughout the year to provide support to parents.  We want to help you parent with confidence.  Owensboro parents, please consider attending the upcoming workshop this Thursday from 6:30-8 pm at 2309 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY. You can also call the office at 270-215-4000.

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