Parenting is hard.

It is ironic that in an era where we have unprecedent access to information and 24 hour a day connectivity that we have never felt more isolated and alone. As a parent you know those questions that keep you awake “How do I know if my child is OK?”, “How can I help my child be happy?” "Why won't they sleep!" and “where is the time for me? For my self-care?”.   Have you ever asked yourself whether you can parent better? What else can I do?  Why is this happening?  Would you like to enjoy being a parent more?

If you would like to be a better communicator, understand your child more, help your child develop more resilience, or be a calmer parent, you are not alone.  Parenting is not black and white.  You are not either a good or bad parent.  You want what is best for your child and your family and sometimes it is difficult to know what that is. 

As children go through different ages and stages, different challenges present themselves. Around us are many experts with just as many opinions about what to do. This can be confusing. Positive Young Minds promotes positive parenting practices, with a focus on increasing your sense of calm, confidence and connection.  

I use largely used ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), which includes practical mindfulness and self-compassion.  You can see an example of this below in the steps of using ABOLD approach.  These strategies honour you as an individual and work to support you living a life that is important to you.  I would love to help you with these.  

It's never too early or too late in seeking support.  You can book an individual session with me now. 

ABOLD Approach to Parenting

Bringing awareness to parenting is a key to improving your relationship with your child and growing great kids.  

This can be thought of as using A BOLD approach.

​Awareness

• Breathing
• Own it
• Let it be
• Do something

Awareness

• recognising the triggers of your behaviour
• recognising the symptoms of your emotions
• attending to the moment - real listening and engagement
• seeing things as they are, without judgement

Breathing

• putting little commas and full stops into your day helps clarity, and creates distance and perspective.
• taking the time to take some deep breaths when feeling stressed is a great way to manage a situation.

Own it

• whose feeling is it it?  If you are angry, or sad accept it.  If your child is angry, sad, or anxious - that is their feeling.  You stay calm and help them, stay away from being sucked in to their emotional vortex.
• self-regulation of your own actions/reactions
• compassion - using kindness and showing empathy for your own and your child's needs at the time

Let it be

• Live the moment then re-focus on the present.
• Separate the person from the action
• accept your child as they are, not what you hoped they would be

Do something

• Act appropriately to the situation
• Act with kindness