![]() If we tune in to children on their wavelength, and remember what it was like to be a child, we can master the art of responsive parenting.įinding emotional balance is hard when we are flooded with anger, frustration, or resentment. But as children grow up, their needs become more complex. Babies’ needs are pretty obvious: feed them when they’re hungry, change them when they’re wet, hold them when they want to be close, show them the world when they are curious. The key to providing security for children is to recognize and meet their needs. Next time you are tempted to nag or threaten a child, try being silly and outrageous instead, like singing the words, “Clean your room,” in a loud fake-Italian-opera voice. Set a timer for ten minutes (you can do anything for ten minutes), get on the floor, and play enthusiastically. The reason I call my approach “Playful Parenting” is not because play is the only way to connect with our children, but because play usually goes out the window when we are stressed, tired, or aggravated. ![]() But who has the time for this? Well, it’s a bit like chopping down a mighty tree with a dull axe-it’s worth the time it takes to pause and sharpen the blade. Reflecting on parenthood – stepping back to think, write or talk about what life is really like for us –helps us become better parents. ![]()
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