10 Tips to Make Parenting Less Stressful

Instead of correcting your child’s behavior whenever you see a problem, focus on training your child to care about self and others.
In other words, focus on the solution to the problem i. e. raising a responsible child.
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By Sylvia S. Roan, M.S., LCSW 5237, BCBA  | Published Dec 2007

1. Set limits and provide structure.
• Communicate your expectations to your child clearly.
• Children of all ages need rules.
• Establish Daily Routines

2. Enforce Rules and Consequences.
• Let your child know what the consequence of breaking rules will be ahead of time. Follow through on enforcing punishment.
• Recognize your child’s efforts in following rules and provide reinforcement to the desirable behaviors with your attention and verbal praise.
• Avoid paying attention only to the misbehaviors.
• Communicate clear expectations for your child’s daily responsibilities
• Reinforce your child’s efforts –using a chart to set up a system for earning rewards

3. Be Consistent.
• Discuss and agree on basic parenting principles for guiding your children.
• Be consistent each day and in every situation.

4. Be a good Role Model
• Don’t argue in front of your child

5. Encourage Individual Growth.
• Listen to your child with undivided attention
• Show confi dence in your child.
• Measure your child’s progress by setting objectives with your child.

6. Don’t use harsh discipline
• Yelling or slapping is not an effective long-term approach to discipline.
• Do not discipline your child when you are angry.

7. Aim to Build your child’s Character
• Decide what kind of a person you would like your child to become.
• Aim to raise your child to become an honest, caring, cooperative, responsible, trust -worthy adult.

8. Align your child’s activities with a Purpose
• Be careful not to set an unrealistic goal for your child. Goals need to be age and developmentally appropriate for your child.
• Avoid over expectation.
• Be innovative and enthusiastic with your child.
• Do not over schedule your child’s life.

9. Cultivate a warm and safe environment

10. Limit your child’s screen time