At the beginning of a new year, many people make resolutions or goals that they want to meet or achieve as time progresses. These resolutions may be to stop a bad habit or to start a good habit, such as stopping smoking or starting to volunteer more. For parents, making resolutions can be a little more challenging because caring for children requires much time and energy. These top five parenting trends for 2015 are making the new year’s resolutions list for many moms and dads.
Praising More
According to a blog by Elizabeth Broadbent on the Huffington Post, one of the leading parenting trends and resolutions for 2015 is to offer more praise. However, rather than just saying “Good job,” you should be more specific in your praise, such as recognizing the effort a child put into a school project or the sportsmanship he or she displayed at a game.
Whispering Instead of Yelling
With all the noise in today’s world, children barely notice when you yell at them. If you’ve ever gotten a hoarse voice from yelling so much, resolve to stop. According to The Law Offices of John N. Kitta, yelling may be detrimental to the family unit. One of this year’s parenting trends is to whisper to your child to correct a non-dangerous problem behavior. Your child must stop what he or she is doing to hear you and you may both stay calmer while whispering instead of yelling.
Getting Outside
If your family doesn’t get outside as much as you did when you were a kid, you’re not alone. Many of today’s parents have safety concerns about sending their kids out to play. In addition, the draw of tablets, video games and other gadgets often keeps kids inside the house during their free time. In 2015, the trend for family time will be to get outside with the kids. Whether you go on a hike, bike ride or build a snowman, you’ll get some important physical activity and make memories together.
Putting Away the Tech
The lure of the smartphone is strong. While attending a kids’ sports game or practice, a glace around the stands shows that most parents are staring at their phones instead of watching kids. Or, the parents are taking pictures and videos rather than just relaxing and watching. Put the tech and gadgets away and enjoy the experience for what it is and focus on your child.
Respecting Non-dangerous Choices
It’s okay to let your child make some choices that you don’t agree with. Your 12-year-old daughter wants to spend all her allowance on loom bands? Your five year old son wants to wear the same shirt every day for a week? Don’t lose sleep over these situations. Showing your child that you respect their decisions gives them the confidence to continue making their own decisions as they get older. The only time you need to intervene is if your child is making a
Originally posted on January 16, 2015 @ 8:25 am
