Wouldn't it be wonderful if each of our children came into this world complete with their very own unique instruction manual to tell us exactly what to feed them, when to put them to bed, how to love and praise them, how to entertain them, how to discipline them, and what methods to use to teach them so that they can reach their full potential?
It's a nice notion, but the reality is that parenting is hard work, perhaps the most difficult undertaking a person will ever face. In the absence of an instruction manual, most people develop their parenting style using a combination of the examples that their own parents set, and trial and error. Sometimes, however, the examples that were set by their own parents were not appropriate examples, and sometimes, even employing the same techniques used by good parenting role models, just don't work especially for children with special needs.
There are so many demands on the time and patience of parents today beyond their responsibilities to their children. It is often necessary for both parents to work outside of the house, and there are many more single parent families and divorced couples co-parenting. Parents are required to spread themselves even thinner to make these situations viable for their children. Working, coming home to prepare meals and maintain the household, interacting with the children, and trying to squeeze in a bit of 'me' time, all take a toll on a parent's mental and physical energy.
It is certainly understandable why parents get so discouraged if their children don't positively respond to them. The parents' resources are tapped, their time and knowledge is limited, and yet often the demands of their children for attention and nurturing and discipline seem to be ever increasing. This is particularly true of children who are difficult, intense, or dealing with challenges.
What parents need is a new perspective. They need to learn new methodologies. The Nurtured Heart Approach, developed by Howard Glasser, provides parents with a new set of tools. It teaches parents how to use 'positive discipline' and consistency among other things to establish a new behavioural management strategy aimed at nurturing the inner wealth and self-esteem of their children. With the benefit of these new tools, parents find that their parenting experiences become far more enjoyable and their relationships with their children dramatically improved. Ultimately, the parents and the children are happier and more fulfilled.
For more information about the Nurtured Heart Approach, or how parent coaching can help your family, please contact me for a free 30 minute consultation.
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Mark Norris My name is Mark Norris, your ADHD parent coach. My academic background includes training in ADHD coaching along with a Master`s degree in Adult Education. I am also a certified Nurtured Heart Approach practitioner. Full Profile & Contact Information...
