Research into attachment theory shows that the type of bond a child forms with their primary caregiver has important developmental implications. Kids who are securely attached to a caregiver (beginning in infancy) have significantly better social and communication skills (including empathy, cooperation, and trust) than kids who experience insecure or avoidant attachment. As a result, they typically form stronger, healthier ...
Establishing clear, consistent rules is fundamental to good parenting. Kids need structure to feel secure in their environment, learn the importance of boundaries, and understand which behaviors are appropriate. When applied in excess, however, rules can be counterproductive; while authoritative parenting is associated with a range of developmental benefits, controlling parenting can cause emotional and psychological harm. Knowing the difference ...
Being a parent is extremely rewarding, but it’s also a challenging and sometimes stressful role. Even when parents realize that their children don't intend to be difficult, they often succumb to feelings of frustration and helplessness in the wake of tantrums and poor behaviour. Over time, this can create a pattern of reacting to tense situations rather than responding ...
One of the greatest challenges parents face when trying to cultivate a parenting style is adapting standard methods to suit the unique traits of their child. Though a consistent, balanced approach to parenting works most of the time, some children invariably require more (or less) discipline and guidance than others. Rules that are sensible when applied to a neurotypical child ...
The human brain processes all sensory information whether or not you are fully aware of it. Most children are able ...
For the parents of overweight children, every day is a balancing act; on one hand, there is the natural desire ...
Parenting is one of the most demanding jobs one will ever have. A parent’s desire to do the right ...
Most people parent intuitively; their parenting choices are informed by their beliefs, personality type, and the way they were raised. When two parents have markedly different outlooks or backgrounds, disagreements over how to manage discipline and set boundaries can therefore become a real issue. If both parents remain inflexible in their stance, what started as a parent-child issue can quickly ...
Being your child’s best friend may seem like a hallmark of successful parenting, but the reality of this dynamic is far from optimal. Children and adults have vastly different needs, capabilities, and preferences, so they can’t function as peers. By default, kids need the adults in their lives to provide a sense of security, which requires a certain ...
Throughout many areas of our lives, balance is key to success. Whether it’s achieving an optimal work-life balance or eating a more balanced diet, happiness can often be found in the middle ground between extremes. Cultivating a parenting style that reflects this wisdom has been shown to be similarly fruitful: Teens who are raised with a careful blend of ...
Parenting and perspective don't always go hand in hand. Caught up in the myriad stresses of day-to-day life, parents often become overwhelmed and lose sight of what is truly important to them: raising their children in a calm, stable, and compassionate household. Challenging situations (or periods) can provoke extreme emotional reactions that undermine parents’ faith in their abilities and erode ...
