What is Good Parenting?

It is well known that parenting behavior has a significant impact on a child’s psychological health and behavior. Research has shown that there are certain parenting behaviors that are beneficial to a child’s well being.  These behaviors include being sensitive to a child’s needs, developing a positive parent-child relationship and encouraging and rewarding positive behavior.

When a parent responds sensitively to a child’s needs a child is more likely to demonstrate secure attachment.  This type of sensitivity can be seen when a parent interacts with a cooing or smiling baby.  Ignoring or acting aggressively to a cooing or smiling baby can lead to anxiety and insecure attachment.  But responding to the baby in a sensitive way the reflects the baby’s level of arousal and needs will help develop a securely attached baby.  Securely attached children are more likely to demonstrate positive behaviors as an adult.

When parents provide love and support to their children, children tend develop positive feelings of self-worth.  Research show that parents own mental health and attitudes toward parenting can impact their ability to develop this positive relationship with their children.  Therefore, it important for parents to be aware of their own psychological well being and attitudes and address any issues they may be having themselves.

Finally, there is a great deal of research to support the effectiveness of focusing on and rewarding positive behavior.  Often, as parents, we accidently do the opposite!  Without realizing it parents reinforce negative behavior by either giving in or paying a lot of negative attention to it, while ignoring our child when they are well behaved.  It is important for parents to consciously keep their focus on positive behaviors, provide attention to their children when ‘good’ behavior occurs and attempt to minimize attention to negative behaviors.

Participating in a Parent Management Training program can provide parents with the support, tools, and feedback to develop parenting behaviors that will lead to healthier children and a happier household.