5 Tips

 Some of the key ways parents can model positive parenting behaviors are:

1. Manage your anger. Anger is one of the greatest blocks to forming meaningful human relationships. When adults act impulsively, yell at one another, or seek revenge, children follow suit. This kind of behavior can lead to bullying, acting out in school, and not developing the skill of self-regulation – the ability to stop or delay an action rather than behaving impulsively.
2. Stop the blame game and help kids do the same! When you are about to blame someone else for a problem, stop! Think about the foundations of positive parenting: Consider your own role in the problem, show empathy for others, and focus on the solution rather than culpability.
3. Take politics out of parenting. Many of our political conversations have become divisive and unproductive. When adults make derogatory comments about others based on race, religion, ethnicity, sexual preference, gender, or political views, children think it is okay to do the same.
4. Admit your mistakes. Children are growing up in a world with unrealistic demands for perfection. When adults admit and learn from mistakes, open themselves to feedback, and take responsibility for their actions and decisions, children learn to do the same.
5. Work hard to accomplish your goals. When adults set goals and persevere to achieve them despite obstacles, they model invaluable skills to their children. As appropriate for your child’s age, don’t be afraid to show kids how you are working to overcome challenges in your own life. Be positive and hopeful.

Positive Parenting needs Cultivating

Being a positive role model to your child is a key factor in parenting.  We need to filter our own-selves and frankly ‘parent’ ourselves when we need reminders to keep in check.  If I had to choose just one tip that Dr. Price-Mitchell shared, I would choose number 4 – Admit your mistakes.  Now you may think that doesn’t sound very positive and your right.  The upside is that if you can learn to say “My mistake” and mean it, your child will too.

We all make mistakes and sometimes deflect the blame on others.  Where you will find your super power in parenting and create a positive culture for you and your family, is to think about these 5 Tips and be accountable – to yourself.  The result is a healthy mindset and a more cohesive environment for your family.  Dr. Price-Mitchell has more resources on her website RootsofAction.com

More Resources

For more on this topic and tips on how to set yourself up for Positive Parenting, watch or listen to the Flourish episode –

Cultivate the Garden of your Mind

This is about you!

A parent has an intuition about their child, and you need to trust it.  ‘People’, whether they are teachers or doctors, councillors or therapist seem to be quick on the draw with a “label”.  I’ve read list after list on what the traits are of a ‘gifted’ child and I’m going to say, it’s not that simple.  What is simple is that as a parent you know if your child is good at something –  focus on that.  Don’t worry about what the lists say.  Don’t think you need to medicate to keep your child calm.  And by all means, don’t think this is going to be easier because your child is smart.  You actually need to pay very specific attention.

Did I know what I was doing?  Not really, but I trusted my instincts.  I knew my child needed more support but I didn’t know I would have to advocate for him on an ongoing basis, as much as I did.  When I think back we were very lucky.  I say lucky because some teachers didn’t think he was smart enough.  Some teachers wanted to hold him back in the curriculum.  And one teacher thought he should be labeled ADHD and be medicated because he wouldn’t sit perfectly still.  But you see teachers have a lot of students to teach and as the years go by, they have more and more new ones, and it’s not one size fits all.  

Here’s what I know

I met all of my son’s classmates over the years as I wanted to really immerse myself in all things ‘gifted.’  Here’s what I know – they were all different.  There wasn’t one child that was the same as any other.  They all had their little quirks and habits that made them unique.  What that made me realize is that we are all like that and the school system is not designed to cater to individuality.

Being deemed ‘gifted’ is the same as being really good at a sport and that is your focus.  But you have to work physically at that sport to really master the game.   It’s the same as being musical, even pitch perfect and dedicating yourself to practice, every day.  With giftedness it’s the same, being really good in one or all of the abilities that are tested, need the same mastery and practice.  It’s just not as obvious as the other physical gifts people have.

We are all born with a gift, we were lucky to discover my sons at an early age.  There is one trait I felt as a mom I noticed his classmates had in common and that is none of them liked to be bored.  If they were not challenged enough, the tom-foolery would begin!  Sounds like a ‘normal’ child, don’t you think?  Is your child Gifted?  If your instincts are telling you they have a natural talent that is ready to blossom, then yes – you are right!  Children do not lack capacity, they lack enough teachers.

More Resources

For more on this topic and natural talent, watch or listen to the Flourish episode –

Nature’s Gift