There are countless parenting resources available that offer stories, guidelines, and tips to parents. Regardless of the individual parenting styles, advice based on research can offer great insight into the effectiveness of specific parental approaches and techniques. Three parenting tips are outlined below:
The first tip is to let your kids get bored. Dr. Michael Ungar, psychologist and co-director of the Resilience Research Center at Dalhousie University, indicated that, “Boredom in our context of hyperstimulation may give children opportunities to exercise creativity and develop initiative, persistence and a sense that they can influence their world.” This means that a filled, structured schedule for a child can potentially take away from their ability to direct their own decision-making. This self-guidance process allows children to establish and strive for their own goals, and can assist with regulating their emotions as well.
Secondly, parents should avoid an over-bearing protection of their kids. Although it is well-intentioned to foresee obstacles that may impact a child during their upbringing, it may not be beneficial to their overall development. Research shows that an individual’s sense of independence and competence may be compromised if their parents are over-involved with detecting, intervening, and resolving their problems for them. Overall, it is best for parents to maintain a degree of involvement that is appropriate for each stage of the child’s developmental level.
Lastly, self-care is essential for positive parenting skills. In order for parents to effectively care for their children, it is imperative to take care of their own needs first and model how to do so. A healthy lifestyle that addresses one’s medical and mental health needs will not only contribute to the well-being of the parent, but it will also improve their ability to care for their offspring. A study conducted by Psychological Science found that mothers with depression are “more likely to either ignore or overreact to kids’ misbehavior” as a result of their mental health issues. In summary, a healthier parent equates with more positive parenting skills, and thus a healthier child as well.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-be-a-better-parent/