Did you respond out of spite, or were you calm in your approach to understand the situation at hand?

Unfortunately, a lot of parents practice reactive parenting and not proactive parenting. We hit the nail on the head when something happens, instead of forecasting how we want our children to grow up in the world, setting them up for success as they enter adulthood.

Plus, if you haven’t figured it out already, raising kids is not easy! It takes SO MUCH work!!

But what happens is when we are in a disagreement or our kiddos have done something wrong or incorrect (in your opinion), that’s the only time we jump up and make a declaration.

Parents, you need to check how you parent. Do not take their voices from them. Telling your children they cannot tell you “no” only sets them up for many failures to come in the future. You want your child to speak up. Now, the tone they use or their approach might be more of what you want to focus on. But not taking their voice. They, too, need to be heard, just as you do.

Maybe you were raised this way, in that no one is to say NO. But how does that serve your purpose in the long run for your child? If your child is being hurt, don’t you want them to be strong enough to say NO?

This is only one example. There are so many generational habits for discipline that we could talk about. But what I want today for you, Mom, is to reflect on how you parent, and make sure you are not continuing generational habits that do not support your child’s mental, physical, psychological, and emotional development.

If you think there might be a few, then all you do is break the cycle.

The K.I.S.S. ~ Break the cycle!

As a parent, breaking away from generational habits in parenting can be the key to raising well-adjusted and emotionally healthy children. Here are three things you can do to change your parenting approach and break the cycle.

1. Reflect on Your Own Upbringing
Take time to reflect on your own upbringing and the parenting style you were exposed to. Consider what worked well and what didn’t. Keep in mind that you will remember things differently than what happened as a child, because they are childhood memories. So, your reflection might need to involve your family to understand the specifics of what you’re searching for. Recognizing patterns from past generations can help you identify areas for improvement and change. Then, you get to decide how you want to raise your children.

2. Seek Out New Parenting Resources
Don’t be afraid to seek out new parenting resources and information that align with your values and beliefs. There are so many opportunities for you to gain knowledge, get clarity, and understand your options to best train up your child. For example, attend parenting workshops, read books by experts in child psychology, or join parent support groups to gain fresh perspectives on effective parenting strategies. Remember, just because the resource is mentioned or noted, be sure you do your own research and what’s best for your family’s values.

3. Practice Present Parenting
This is a practice of mindfulness in your parenting approach by staying present and engaged with your child. Actions speak louder than words. So even in the silence, they are watching. Be conscious of your reactions and responses, taking the time to listen actively and empathize with your child’s feelings. By being intentional and paying attention, you can break the cycle of reactive parenting and cultivate a more positive and nurturing relationship with your child.

By taking proactive steps to break generational habits in parenting, you can create a nurturing and supportive environment for your children to thrive in, fostering strong bonds and healthy emotional development.

“Be present. Be incredible. Be YOU!!!“