Meditation Support: Positive Parenting

Here is a simple exercise to help you be more mindful about positive reinforcement with your child(ren).

DAY 1: Give your self freedom to list ideal behaviors you would like to see from your child. Write down all of the good/positive things you would like to see. Make the list as long as you'd like. 

NOTE: (Avoid the things you don't want to see... example instead of STOP FIGHTING WITH BROTHER say SHOW MORE COMPASSION TO BROTHER)

DAY 2: Go back and read each behavior, and reflect on it. What would your life look like if you child had that behavior more frequently? Is this behavior an attribute that will benefit your child in their life? Is it important? Choose the top three behaviors you wish to see more...

DAY 3: Begin to look for those behaviors from your child and OVER-PRAISE THEM! Give them so much love and adoration when you see this behavior. You will start to see an increase in this behavior. Also, because you have taken the time to write down these behaviors you will be more aligned with the positive reinforcement. Keep in mind that positive reinforcement is three times more powerful than negative reinforcement. 

REMEMBER: Be patient and kind with yourself. We all lose our patience, and that is just a part of parenting. Taking time to reflect and be more aligned with the parent you want to be is a huge win. Congratulate yourself when you do well, and apologize when you make a mistake. This shows your children that not only are you able to admit and learn from your mistakes -- you are also able to show yourself compassion.