Address Parenting Style: Developing Supportive and Constructive Approaches

How parents respond to a child’s emotions, mistakes, and challenges profoundly shapes their self-concept and approach to difficulties.

A supportive, empathetic parenting style fosters confidence and emotional regulation rather than vulnerability to victim thinking.

Research shows that derisive parenting, which involves demeaning or belittling the child, can foster dysregulated anger in children, leading to difficulties in peer relationships (Dickson et al., 2019).

By adopting a parenting approach that is empathetic, supportive, and encouraging, you can help your child develop positive self-esteem and emotional regulation skills that counter tendencies toward feeling victimized or helpless.

These activities are designed to help parents create consistent patterns of supportive interaction that build children’s emotional strength, self-confidence, and healthy response patterns to life’s challenges.

Activities

1. Positive Feedback Time

Purpose: To reinforce positive self-esteem and emotional regulation through consistent, specific appreciation and acknowledgment.

Materials Needed:

Quiet, comfortable setting for conversations
Positive feedback journal (optional)
Visual reminder system for feedback sessions
Feedback conversation starters

List of specific behavior observations
Appreciation cards or tokens (optional)
Calendar for scheduling regular sessions

Steps:

1. Creating a Positive Feedback Routine:

Establish a consistent practice of acknowledgment and appreciation:

Schedule regular feedback opportunities:
1. Daily “catch you being good” moments
2. Weekly appreciation conversations
3. Bedtime positive reflection ritual
4. After-school check-ins with positive focus
5. Special occasion recognition
Prepare a supportive environment:
1. Choose a quiet, private space
2. Eliminate distractions
3. Create a warm, relaxed atmosphere
4. Maintain eye contact and open body language
5. Allow enough time without rushing
Develop a sustainable approach:
1. Start with brief sessions (5-10 minutes)
2. Create visual reminders for consistency
3. Link to existing routines when possible
4. Keep the tone natural and authentic
5. Adjust format based on your child’s preferences

2. Delivering Effective Positive Feedback:

Use approaches that build genuine self-worth:

Focus on specific observations:
1. “I noticed you shared your toys with your sister without being asked.”
2. “You worked on that puzzle even though it was challenging.”
3. “I saw how you took deep breaths when you felt frustrated.”
4. “The way you organized your books showed real care.”
5. “Your drawing shows how much attention you paid to details.”
Emphasize effort, progress, and process:
1. “You practiced that song many times – that shows persistence.”
2. “I noticed you’re getting faster at putting on your shoes.”
3. “You found a new way to solve that problem – that’s flexible thinking!”
4. “You asked for help when you needed it – that shows good judgment.”
5. “You tried again even after making a mistake – that’s courage.”
Highlight character strengths and values:
1. “Helping your friend showed kindness.”
2. “Telling the truth even when it was hard showed integrity.”
3. “Waiting your turn showed respect for others.”
4. “Taking care of your pet shows responsibility.”
5. “Including the new child at the playground showed compassion.”

3. Encouraging Self-Recognition:

Help your child develop internal validation:

Ask reflective questions:
1. “What did you do today that you feel good about?”
2. “What was something challenging that you worked through?”
3. “How did you help someone else today?”
4. “What are you proud of learning or getting better at?”
5. “What strength did you use to handle that situation?”
Guide positive self-talk:
1. “What might you say to yourself about how you did?”
2. “If your friend did that, what would you tell them?”
3. “What’s something you want to remember about how you handled that?”
4. “How would you describe what you did to someone else?”
5. “What could you remind yourself next time you face something similar?”
Create tangible reminders of successes:
1. Positive moments jar or collection
2. Growth and achievement timeline
3. Strength stars or tokens
4. Success journal or scrapbook
5. Audio recordings of positive reflections

4. Managing Challenges Constructively:

Address difficulties while maintaining positive focus:

Balance feedback appropriately:
1. Maintain a higher ratio of positive to corrective feedback
2. Separate positive feedback time from problem discussions
3. Avoid undermining praise with criticism (“but” statements)
4. Acknowledge both strengths and growth areas
5. Focus on progress rather than perfection
Frame mistakes constructively:
1. “What did you learn from that experience?”
2. “What might you try differently next time?”
3. “What helped you get through that difficult moment?”
4. “What strength could help with that challenge?”
5. “How could we work together on that?”
Model receiving feedback:
1. Ask for feedback on your own efforts
2. Demonstrate accepting appreciation gracefully
3. Show how to learn from mistakes
4. Acknowledge your own growth areas
5. Express gratitude for helpful input

5. Extending Positive Feedback Impact:

Build a positive feedback culture:

Involve other important adults:
1. Share positive observations with other family members
2. Encourage grandparents or caregivers to use similar approaches
3. Ensure consistency across different relationships
4. Create shared language for strengths and effort
5. Coordinate feedback approaches with co-parents
Expand to peer appreciation:
1. Model noticing strengths in others
2. Practice giving specific positive feedback to siblings or friends
3. Create family appreciation rituals
4. Point out when others notice your child’s strengths
5. Discuss the impact of genuine compliments

Adaptations for Different Needs:

For children who seem uncomfortable with praise: Use more subtle, brief acknowledgments
For highly active children: Incorporate movement into feedback sessions
For children with language processing differences: Use visual supports and simpler language
For children needing more structure: Create a regular feedback routine with visual schedule

2. Emotion Coaching Sessions

Purpose: To help children identify, understand, and regulate their emotions through supportive guidance, building emotional intelligence and healthy coping skills.

Materials Needed:

Emotions vocabulary chart
Feeling faces illustrations
Calm, private conversation space
Emotion thermometer or scale

Coping strategy cards
Comfort items
Emotion journal (optional)
Visual emotion coaching steps

Steps:

1. Preparing for Emotion Coaching:

Create the foundation for effective emotional support:

Develop your own emotional awareness:
1. Notice your responses to your child’s emotions
2. Identify any emotions you find challenging to address
3. Recognize your own emotional triggers
4. Practice calm responses during emotional moments
5. Build your emotion vocabulary
Create an emotion-friendly environment:
1. Establish that all feelings are acceptable
2. Create a safe space for emotional expression
3. Reduce shame or judgment around emotions
4. Model appropriate emotional expression
5. Provide private spaces for processing feelings
Build emotion coaching readiness:
1. Learn about childhood emotional development
2. Gather age-appropriate emotion resources
3. Discuss emotions during calm times
4. Read books about feelings together
5. Establish comfort with emotion language

2. Recognizing Emotion Coaching Opportunities:

Identify times for supportive emotional guidance:

Watch for emotional cues:
1. Facial expressions and body language
2. Behavioral changes (withdrawal, aggression, restlessness)
3. Voice tone and volume shifts
4. Physical complaints (headaches, stomachaches)
5. Sleep or appetite changes
Consider coaching-appropriate moments:
1. Low to moderate emotional intensity (not crisis level)
2. Times when you are emotionally regulated yourself
3. When privacy and time are available
4. Situations related to persistent emotional patterns
5. Transitions or new experiences
Balance immediate and delayed coaching:
1. Brief validation in the moment
2. Full coaching when emotions have stabilized
3. Regular check-ins during calm periods
4. Pre-coaching before challenging situations
5. Follow-up after emotional events

3. Implementing the Emotion Coaching Process:

Guide your child through emotional understanding:

Step 1: Recognize and validate emotions:
1. “I notice you seem frustrated right now.”
2. “It’s okay to feel disappointed about that.”
3. “That situation would make many people feel nervous.”
4. “Your face/body looks like you might be feeling sad.”
5. “I understand why that would make you angry.”
Step 2: Listen and show understanding:
1. Give full attention with eye contact and open posture
2. Reflect what you hear: “So you felt left out when…”
3. Ask open questions: “Can you tell me more about what happened?”
4. Avoid dismissing emotions or rushing to solutions
5. Accept emotions even when the behavior needs correction
Step 3: Help name and describe feelings:
1. Offer emotion vocabulary: “Are you feeling disappointed, frustrated, or something else?”
2. Connect emotions to body sensations: “Where do you feel that in your body?”
3. Scale emotions: “On our 1-5 scale, how strong is this feeling?”
4. Explore emotion blends: “It sounds like you feel both excited and nervous.”
5. Expand emotion vocabulary beyond basics
Step 4: Set limits while validating emotions:
1. “It’s okay to feel angry, but it’s not okay to hit.”
2. “You can feel disappointed without speaking disrespectfully.”
3. “All feelings are acceptable, but not all behaviors are.”
4. “Let’s find a better way to show how upset you are.”
5. “I understand you’re frustrated, AND we need to find a different solution.”
Step 5: Problem-solve and develop coping strategies:
1. “What might help you feel better right now?”
2. “Let’s think of some ways to handle this situation.”
3. “Would you like to try taking deep breaths with me?”
4. “What have you done before that helped with these feelings?”
5. “Should we look at our coping skills chart for ideas?”

4. Building Emotional Regulation Capacity

Help develop emotional management skills:

Teach calming techniques:
1. Deep breathing exercises
2. Progressive muscle relaxation
3. Mindfulness moments
4. Movement breaks
5. Sensory regulation activities (fidgets, weighted items)
Support emotional expression:
1. Emotion journal or drawing
2. Physical expression (running, jumping, dancing)
3. Talking about feelings with trusted people
4. Using emotion metaphors or stories
5. Creative outlets (music, art, drama)
Develop cognitive strategies:
1. Positive self-talk phrases
2. Perspective-taking: “How might someone else see this?”
3. Helpful thinking patterns
4. Problem-solving steps
5. Decision-making frameworks

5. Extending Emotion Coaching Impact:

Create lasting emotional intelligence:

Review and reflect on emotional experiences:
1. “How did you handle those big feelings today?”
2. “What helped you calm down when you were upset?”
3. “What might you try next time you feel that way?”
4. “How did your body feel before, during, and after?”
5. “What have you learned about dealing with this emotion?”
Connect emotions to values and identity:
1. “Caring about your friend shows your compassionate heart.”
2. “Standing up for yourself shows your self-respect.”
3. “Working through that fear shows your courage.”
4. “Feeling sad when others are hurt shows your empathy.”
5. “Managing your anger in a healthy way shows responsibility.”
Celebrate emotional growth:
1. Notice and acknowledge emotion regulation successes
2. Point out increasing emotional vocabulary
3. Recognize improved self-awareness
4. Appreciate efforts to use healthy coping strategies
5. Mark progress in emotional resilience

Emotion Coaching Tips:

Time coaching appropriately—mild or moderate emotional states are better for learning than intense ones
Keep coaching brief with younger children or those with shorter attention spans
Avoid coaching when either you or your child is hungry, tired, or overwhelmed
Focus on the emotion itself before moving to problem-solving
Remember that the goal is emotional intelligence, not eliminating negative emotions

3. Family Problem-Solving Meetings

Purpose: To involve children in collaborative problem-solving, teaching them that their input is valued and that difficulties can be addressed through cooperative approaches.

Materials Needed:

Meeting agenda template
Problem description worksheet
Solution brainstorming materials
Decision-making tools

Action plan template
Meeting rules poster
Calendar for scheduling
Solution implementation tracker

Steps:

1. Establishing the Family Meeting Structure:

Create a framework that supports productive problem-solving:

Set clear meeting fundamentals:
1. Regular scheduled time (weekly or as needed)
2. Comfortable, neutral meeting space
3. Appropriate duration (15-30 minutes for younger children)
4. Free from distractions (devices off, quiet setting)
5. Everyone seated where they can see each other
Create supportive meeting guidelines:
1. One person speaks at a time
2. Everyone gets a turn to share
3. Use respectful language and tone
4. Focus on solutions, not blame
5. Listen carefully to others’ ideas
6. No interrupting or dismissing others’ input
Assign developmentally appropriate roles:
1. Meeting facilitator (initially a parent, can rotate)
2. Timekeeper (tracking overall time and turns)
3. Note-taker (recording ideas and decisions)
4. “Listening checker” (ensuring everyone is heard)
5. Action plan monitor (following up on decisions)

2. Addressing Problems Effectively:

Guide constructive problem identification and discussion:

Select appropriate problems for family meetings:
1. Recurring family challenges (morning routines, chores, screen time)
2. Situations affecting multiple family members
3. Decisions requiring family input
4. Conflicts that have cooled down enough for discussion
5. Issues appropriate for children’s developmental level
Frame problems constructively:
1. Describe the situation objectively without blame
2. Use “we” language: “We’re having trouble with…”
3. Focus on the issue, not personality or character
4. Express how the problem affects everyone
5. Keep the tone matter-of-fact, not emotionally charged
Ensure everyone is heard:
1. Ask each person to share their perspective
2. Use a talking object to indicate speaker turns
3. Practice active listening and reflection
4. Ask clarifying questions to understand fully
5. Acknowledge each person’s feelings and viewpoint

3. Facilitating Collaborative Solutions:

Guide the process of generating and evaluating options:

Support creative brainstorming:
1. Explain that all ideas are welcome initially
2. Record all suggestions without criticism
3. Encourage quantity of ideas before evaluation
4. Offer prompts if brainstorming slows down
5. Make it fun and engaging with visual recording
Evaluate possible solutions:
1. Is it fair to everyone involved?
2. Is it realistic and doable?
3. Does it address the core problem?
4. Does it align with family values?
5. What would happen if we tried this?
Guide collaborative decision-making:
1. Combine elements of different ideas when possible
2. Use simple voting for some decisions
3. Seek consensus on important matters
4. Ensure your child’s input influences the outcome
5. Be willing to try reasonable solutions even if imperfect

4. Creating Clear Action Plans:

Translate decisions into concrete steps:

Develop specific implementation details:
1. Who will do what and when
2. Any resources or materials needed
3. How to handle potential obstacles
4. When to check progress
5. How to know if the solution is working
Document the plan visually:
1. Create a simple written or pictorial plan
2. Post in a visible location
3. Include checkpoints or tracking method
4. Make responsibilities clear
5. Add visual reminders if helpful
Connect solution to problem-solving process:
1. Acknowledge everyone’s contribution
2. Express confidence in the solution
3. Link the plan to the original problem
4. Thank family members for their cooperation
5. End on a positive, hopeful note

5. Following Through and Learning:

Build problem-solving capacity through reflection:

Implement with consistency:
1. Follow through on agreed actions
2. Provide necessary support and reminders
3. Address obstacles promptly
4. Maintain a positive, solution-focused approach
5. Recognize efforts and progress
Evaluate outcomes together:
1. Schedule follow-up discussions
2. Ask what’s working well and what isn’t
3. Make adjustments as needed
4. Celebrate successes, even partial ones
5. Learn from approaches that didn’t work
Strengthen problem-solving identity:
1. Note when family problem-solving skills improve
2. Highlight when solutions make a positive difference
3. Acknowledge your child’s growing contribution
4. Connect problem-solving to other life situations
5. Express confidence in the family’s ability to address challenges

Adaptation Tips:

For younger children: Use pictures and simpler language, shorter meetings, concrete problems
For families new to meetings: Start with positive topics before tackling problems
For busy families: Incorporate brief meetings into existing routines like dinner time
For children who struggle with sitting: Include movement breaks or allow standing/moving during meetings

4. Role-Modeling Compassion

Purpose: To demonstrate and normalize compassionate behavior through your own actions, helping children develop empathy, kindness, and a constructive approach to others’ difficulties.

Materials Needed:

Kindness activity ideas
Community service opportunities
Compassion discussion starters
Books about empathy and kindness
Reflection journal (optional)

Compassion project materials
Visual reminders of compassionate values
Recognition system for acts of compassion

Steps:

1. Developing Your Compassion Practice:

Strengthen your own capacity for compassionate behavior:

Cultivate self-awareness:
1. Notice your responses to others’ needs and struggles
2. Identify your compassion strengths and challenges
3. Recognize barriers to showing compassion
4. Reflect on your compassion role models
5. Consider how you want to grow in this area
Strengthen your compassion skills:
1. Practice active listening without judgment
2. Develop comfort with others’ emotions
3. Work on responding with empathy rather than fixing
4. Build your emotional vocabulary for nuanced understanding
5. Balance compassion for others with self-care
Create compassion reminders:
1. Set intentions for compassionate action
2. Use visual or written prompts
3. Establish compassion check-ins with yourself
4. Create accountability with a partner
5. Integrate compassion into daily routines

2. Modeling Compassion in Daily Life:

Demonstrate compassionate behavior in everyday situations:

Show compassion toward your child:
1. Respond to their emotions with understanding
2. Offer comfort during difficult experiences
3. Listen fully without dismissing their concerns
4. Show patience with mistakes and learning
5. Apologize sincerely when you fall short
Display compassion toward others in daily interactions:
1. Speak kindly about and to other family members
2. Show consideration for service workers
3. Offer help to neighbors or community members
4. Respond with empathy to others’ struggles
5. Express gratitude for others’ efforts
Narrate your compassionate thinking:
1. “I notice that person seems to be having a hard day.”
2. “I’m wondering how I could help make this easier for them.”
3. “Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, including adults.”
4. “I’m trying to understand how they might be feeling.”
5. “I want to be kind even when I’m feeling frustrated.”

3. Engaging in Compassionate Actions Together:

Involve your child in acts of kindness and support:

Identify meaningful opportunities:
1. Help for neighbors or community members
2. Support for those experiencing challenges
3. Environmental care projects
4. Animal welfare contributions
5. Kindness for family members
Plan appropriate involvement:
1. Match activities to your child’s age and interests
2. Explain the purpose in simple terms
3. Prepare them for what to expect
4. Address any questions or concerns
5. Make their role clear and meaningful
Guide reflection during compassionate activities:
1. “How do you think this person is feeling?”
2. “Why might this help be important to them?”
3. “How do you feel when you’re helping like this?”
4. “What difference do you think we’re making?”
5. “What are you noticing as we do this together?”

4. Discussing Compassion and Its Impact:

Build understanding through conversation:

Explore compassion concepts:
1. What compassion means and looks like
2. How compassion differs from pity
3. The connection between understanding and helping
4. How small acts of kindness matter
5. The difference between helping and doing for others
Process observed examples:
1. Notice and discuss compassionate acts you witness
2. Talk about compassion shown in books or media
3. Discuss times when others have shown compassion to your family
4. Consider what motivated compassionate actions
5. Explore the impact of compassion on both giver and receiver
Address compassion challenges:
1. When it’s difficult to feel compassionate
2. Balancing compassion with boundaries
3. What to do when compassionate intentions aren’t well-received
4. The difference between enabling and helping
5. Compassion toward those who are different from us

5. Building a Family Compassion Culture:

Create an environment where compassion is valued and normal:

Establish family compassion practices:
1. Regular helping activities for others
2. Family contributions to community
3. Compassion check-ins at family times
4. Celebration of kindness within the family
5. Compassion challenges or projects
Recognize compassionate behavior:
1. Notice and name compassionate actions
2. Express appreciation for kindness shown
3. Share stories of family compassion
4. Create visual reminders of compassionate moments
5. Connect compassionate acts to family values
Expand compassion understanding:
1. Move from concrete actions to understanding motives
2. Develop perspective-taking through questions and stories
3. Explore cultural practices of compassion and caring
4. Discuss systemic needs and broader compassion
5. Connect compassion to issues your child cares about

Compassionate Activity Ideas:

Creating care packages for various needs (new neighbors, hospital patients, etc.)
Writing thank you notes to community helpers
Making bird feeders or habitats for wildlife
Checking on elderly neighbors or offering help
Creating artwork or performances to brighten others’ days
Donating outgrown items with care and intentionality
Helping with community gardens or beautification

5. Self-Esteem Building Crafts

Purpose: To develop positive self-concept through creative activities that highlight strengths, accomplishments, and positive qualities, creating tangible reminders of self-worth.

Materials Needed:

Various craft supplies (paper, markers, paint, glue, etc.)
Photographs (optional)
Strength word cards
Achievement stickers or symbols

Container for completed projects
Templates for different crafts
Display space for finished work
Affirmation or quality word bank

Steps:

1. Setting the Foundation for Self-Esteem Activities:

Create the right environment for meaningful engagement:

Prepare a supportive creative space:
1. Clean, organized craft area
2. Age-appropriate materials
3. Examples for inspiration (optional)
4. Comfortable seating
5. Good lighting
6. Minimal distractions
Establish a positive atmosphere:
1. Focus on enjoyment rather than perfect results
2. Emphasize self-expression over artistic skill
3. Allow for creative interpretation
4. Provide help only when needed
5. Express interest in your child’s process
Introduce the purpose meaningfully:
1. “These projects help us remember what makes you special.”
2. “We’re creating reminders of your amazing qualities.”
3. “These crafts will show some of the things you can feel proud about.”
4. “We’re making art that celebrates who you are.”
5. “These projects help us see all the wonderful things about you.”

2. Implementing Strengths-Based Craft Activities:

Guide creation of positive self-concept reinforcers:

“All About Me” book or poster:
1. Create pages/sections for:
  1. Things I’m good at
  2. What makes me special
  3. People who love me
  4. My favorite things
  5. Goals and dreams
2. Include photos, drawings, and words
3. Add quotes from family members
4. Update periodically as skills and interests grow
5. Share with important people in your child’s life
“Strengths Shield” or personal crest:
1. Draw a shield divided into 4-6 sections
2. In each section, represent different strengths:
  - Ways I help others
  - What makes me a good friend
  - Challenges I’ve overcome
  - Special talents or abilities
  - What others appreciate about me
3. Things I do well
  - Use symbols, words, and colors meaningfully
  - Create a motto or personal statement
  - Display prominently as a reminder
“Growth Tree” or achievement garden:
1. Create a tree trunk and branches or garden base
2. Add leaves/flowers for:
  - New skills learned
  - Kind acts performed
  - Brave moments
  - Problems solved
  - Goals reached
3. Date each achievement
4. Add new growth elements periodically
5. Review and celebrate growth over time

3. Focusing on Specific Self-Esteem Elements:

Address particular aspects of positive self-concept:

Positive affirmation crafts:
1. Create personalized affirmation cards
2. Make a self-talk microphone with positive phrases
3. Design an affirmation bracelet or necklace
4. Create a morning mirror frame with encouraging words
5. Build an affirmation box for daily inspiration
Friendship and social value projects:
1. Make friendship bracelets to give
2. Create a “What Makes Me a Good Friend” mobile
3. Design thank you cards expressing appreciation
4. Build a “Kindness Catcher” (like a fortune teller)
5. Construct a relationship web showing connections
Resilience and growth mindset crafts:
1. Create a “Mistakes Help Me Grow” garden
2. Design “Challenge Medals” for difficult experiences
3. Make a “Steps to Success” pathway
4. Build a “Problem-Solving Toolkit”
5. Construct a “Not Yet/I Can” flip card

4. Reinforcing Through Sharing and Display:

Maximize the impact of completed projects:

Create meaningful sharing opportunities:
1. “Show and tell” with family members
2. Video explanations to share with distant relatives
3. Special display during family gatherings
4. Sharing circle with close friends
5. Presentation to supportive adults (grandparents, teachers)
Display projects thoughtfully:
1. Designate a special shelf or wall space
2. Create a self-esteem project album
3. Rotate displays to keep them fresh
4. Place some items where your child can see them daily
5. Include in your child’s comfort or calming space
Reference craft messages routinely:
1. “Remember what your Strengths Shield shows about you.”
2. “Let’s look at your Growth Tree to see how far you’ve come.”
3. “Your All About Me book reminds us what makes you special.”
4. “Which of your strengths might help with this situation?”
5. “Your craft shows that you’ve handled challenges before.”

5. Building Long-Term Self-Concept Benefits:

Create lasting positive identity connections:

Develop a craft progression plan:
1. Schedule regular self-esteem craft sessions
2. Build complexity as your child develops
3. Create series that build on previous projects
4. Revisit and update earlier projects to show growth
5. Connect crafts to developmental milestones
Connect crafts to daily challenges:
1. Reference relevant projects during difficult moments
2. Use craft themes in conversation about experiences
3. Apply strength concepts from crafts to new situations
4. Create special projects for particularly challenging times
5. Develop coping crafts that incorporate strengths
Build a positive identity archive:
1. Date and preserve significant projects
2. Create a special container or digital record
3. Periodically review past projects together
4. Note patterns of strengths and growth
5. Celebrate the developing self-concept over time

Adapting for Different Children:

For children who don’t enjoy art: Try building projects, collage, or photography
For perfectionistic children: Emphasize meaning over appearance, use structured templates
For children with fine motor challenges: Offer adaptive tools, simplified designs, or assistance
For children who struggle to identify strengths: Start with concrete achievements and preferences

These activities are designed to help parents create a supportive, constructive parenting style that promotes positive self-esteem, emotional regulation, problem-solving skills, and compassion.

By implementing these approaches consistently, you can help your child develop resilience and a strong sense of self that counters victim mentality.

Remember that changing your parenting style is a process. Focus on progress rather than perfection, and be compassionate with yourself as you work to create a more supportive environment.
The goal is to help your child develop the internal resources that allow them to face life’s challenges with confidence rather than feeling victimized by them.

Next Steps

Choose one activity to begin implementing this week
Notice and celebrate moments when you demonstrate supportive parenting
Be mindful of your responses during challenging moments
Share your parenting journey with other supportive adults
Remember that consistency matters more than occasional grand gestures

By addressing your parenting style, you’re providing your child with the emotional foundation they need to develop a resilient, empowered approach to life’s challenges.