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Becoming a peaceful parent is perhaps one of the hardest tasks a parent can undertake. The first step is to vow to create harmony in your home.
It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it. -- Eleanor Roosevelt Peaceful parenting goes beyond vowing to be a non-violent parent. Certainly, deciding not to use violent forms of punishment, like spanking, is a large part of this parenting philosophy. However, to parent with peace, one must also create harmony in the home environment and teach children to be gentle people. Create Harmony in the Home EnvironmentCreating a peaceful home environment encourages everyone who lives in that home to be more relaxed. When we are relaxed, we feel calmer and are more likely to interact with others in a gentle way.
Teach Kindness and RespectModel peaceful behavior. When angered, find ways to calm yourself before acting. Take a deep breath or pray for peace. Refrain from violent forms of punishment. Also, refrain from yelling and screaming in anger at your children. Encourage kindness by modeling it. Point out kindness to your children when you see it in public. Praise your children when they exhibit this desirable behavior.
Talk about peaceful conflict resolution with siblings. Brainstorm ways to solve problems when everyone is calm. Encourage children to use the techniques that they discovered in the brainstorming session to resolve conflicts.
References: Discipline at Home, 28 Ways to Teach Nonviolence, Kindness and Peacefulness to Children, Cheryl Landy, PH.D.
The copyright of the article Become a Peaceful Parent in Peaceful Parenting is owned by Barb Hacker. Permission to republish Become a Peaceful Parent in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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