Balance “Love and Limits” – help children feel cherished and secure – to respond to each other in healthy and effective ways.

Ideas: Positive touch matters! Play, hugs and snuggling help children know they are loved. Learn how to use non-physical options for discipline, such as re-directing your child’s attention, offering choices or using time out (depending on their age). Emotional warmth builds security! Make sure your children know you love them even when they do something wrong. Encourage; praise; laugh; listen and recognize skills they are developing.

You don’t need to be a “perfect parent”, just “good enough.” Parenting skills help you discipline more effectively, making it easier on both parents and children. As children pass through developmental stages, their needs change. Understanding these stages provides a “roadmap” to respond to new “phases.” Build your child’s self-esteem, coping and assertiveness skills – so they can take charge when they need to and react calmly to life’s challenges.

When parents manage stress they:

• Feel better!

• Provide more nurturing and positive attention to children.

• Solve problems more effectively and calmly rise to challenges.

• Being resilient (the ability to “bounce back”) teaches your children how to do the same.

• Understand your stress; explore how to change it and see what works best for you.

When parents get support (friends, family, community) they share the joys of parenting and share “the load”. Find people who add fun, peace and joy to your life.

Ideas: Sports, outdoor activities, classes (art, cooking, health, parenting, etc.), potlucks, find spiritual relationships, volunteer, group events (picnics, play dates, trips, game nights, etc.) or meet your neighbors.

Everyone needs assistance sometimes. Asking for help can be difficult, but getting help makes your family stronger. Talk to friends, clergy, teachers, childcare providers or a therapist. Take a break; call a helpline or take a parenting class. No one can parent all by themselves. “2-1-1” is a toll-free number that can be called anywhere in your County to find free and low cost services. 2-1-1 can link you with health, counseling, community activities, food, assistance, volunteer, disaster programs and many additional resources. Expanding your circle of support can put resources in place for when you need them most.

Help children build skills to successfully behave, get along, work and cope. Build age-appropriate skills so children can solve problems, manage feelings, ask for help and appropriately stand up for themselves. This can also help them cope if trauma has entered their life. Encourage children to “use their words.” Help them understand the names of feelings. Have them identify healthy ways to change their feelings, such as drawing, breathing, singing, dancing, etc.