A young child imitates all the people around them. Remember that the way parents behave with their children (and to others around them) will directly influence their own children’s behaviour. It is paradoxical to see a parent shout “No shouting!”, or hit as a response to a child’s rough behaviour. It is extremely difficult (and I know) but if you talk reasonably, teach positively, and lovingly guide, these tendencies will become life communication skills for your children too. It is a wonderful experience, after years of role-modeling, to see your children treat each other with respect and hear your positive manner within them. Children, brought up with creative discipline techniques will know how to communicate and treat others in life. This is a powerful insight.

Remember that no child or parent is perfect, and neither should they be as it is our mistakes that help us to learn and grow. Parenting can be like a dance: two steps forward and one step back. Try to be conscious of how things worked out during and after each incident with your child. How your heart really feels in each moment.

Each night, before going to sleep, run through your day with your child in your own mind. Understand where you could have parented more positively and make plans to act differently tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow…

Turning Tears into Laughter: Creative Discipline for the Toddler and Preschool Years has a chapter on ‘The Best Role Model is You’. Sharing ideas, tips and real life stories on how to be the best role-model possible for your child. The book can be purchased from this site,  click Books and all good book stores.