January is Positive Parenting month and we see examples of that everywhere we turn in our community; from CSN partners working tirelessly to support families to community members supporting each other in small and large ways.
Our February Community Support Network Meeting (register here) will be focused on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the strengths-based neighbor, Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) and Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs). We are excited to announce that at our February 2nd CSN meeting we will be having a guest speaker from HOPE share on ACEs and PCEs.
Many of us are concerned about increased stress for our children and families, especially during Covid-19. We aren’t powerless, though, and the unique circumstances of our current environment actually allow for new ways to engage and connect with our children. Click here for 10 suggestions to promote Positive Childhood Experiences.
Please read below for helpful and fun parenting suggestions from our local Family Resource Center (FRC) Parenting Specialist.
January is Positive Parenting Awareness Month:
De-escalation and Fun Things to do
Whether it’s the wailing of a toddler in tantrum, the shouting of an upset child or the roaring protests of a teen, high-stress parenting moments happen to us all. A simple strategy to de-escalate those tough times can be described in two words: Quiet down.
In other words, when your child raises their voice, lower yours. The louder they get, the softer you get. Decrease your volume to almost a whisper if you must—your child will have to calm down just to hear you. Not engaging in the battle of raised voices is a powerful tool for staying calm and resisting the lure into useless arguments and hopeless power struggles. For the younger age group, this could mean making sure your child is safe in their car seat or bedroom and calmly removing yourself from the environment. Little ones in tantrum love an audience, so deflate the excitement by staying just outside their space.
Here are some age-related fun activities to do with your child in pandemic times.
- 0-5: Tactile play like drawing, painting, cutting and pasting, Legos, puzzles and playdough.
- 5-10: Move your bodies! Bike rides, nature walks, gardening, acting out an exciting book.
- 10-15: Card games, “adult stuff” like learning to hammer nails and use basic tools; cook a meal together, play board games.
- 15-18: Learning car maintenance, baking treats together, watching YouTube tutorials on their interests and trying them out.