Positive parenting is not a formula parenting style, but it is a parenting style many parents hope to practice with positive support, attachment, and encouragement. The idea behind this parenting style is to raise children who listen, accept constructive criticism and respond to expectations and discipline with attentiveness and open conversation. Authoritative parenting, as defined by psychologist Diana Baumrind, is an example of positive parenting.

Characteristics of a positive parent

An advocate of positive parenting, Amy McCready, explains the cornerstone of positive parenting in one simple statement: “When your kids behave, your whole world is better.” Much of the focus of positive parenting is addressing the issues all children and parents face in a positive, effective manner. Children will have trouble keeping a clean room and understanding a parent’s reasoning for saying no – but positive parents choose to skip the yelling and forgo extreme punishment for positive encouragement and explanation in hopes that children will understand and react in a mutually positive manner.

Effects of positive parenting on child development

Much of the information on positive parenting centers around parental support. There is very little information on how children respond, as a whole, to positive parent interaction. Positive parenting is an obscure term that encompasses a wide range of parenting choices. Authoritative parents, for instance, are considered positive parents. There is vast expert support for this style of parenting as it clearly establishes expectations for children while choosing an open line of communication and dialogue between parents and children.

Ten rules of positive parenting by Dr. Debbie Glasser

Without a definitive set of rules, positive parents are often left to their own devices, articles about how to be more positive parents, and suggestions from friends and family. Dr. Debbie Glasser, once a member of the National Parenting Education Network, attempts to give positive parents a few tips for keeping a positive mindset.

1. Understand why your child act’s the way they do.
2. Address situations in a proactive rather than a reactive manner.
3. Use love as a means of discipline.
4. Laugh at every opportune moment.
5. Encourage children in all possible ways.
6. Slow down when life starts moving too fast.
7. Pay attention to yourself as well as your children.
8. Be the role model you want your children to mimic.
9. Expect responsibility.
10. Love your children no matter what.

Positive parenting is a positive proaction/reaction parenting style that encourages parents to laugh out loud, understand where their children are coming from, and support them unconditionally. It also pushes parents to be there when their children are in need of support the most while also stepping back in order to allow them to grow, explore and prosper.