Ever have your child repeat a statement back to you, something that you’d long forgotten? Sometimes it could even be something you’ve unwittingly said in anger. Our children’s minds are recorders. Our words and actions are impressions that stamp their memories, behavior, and perhaps their adult life. And, though single parenthood brings added pressure and stress to the job of raising children, we still shoulder a responsibility—the responsibility of positive parenting.

Positive parenting facilitates a happier environment for the family and helps create a happier child. We all know children tend to emulate what they see and hear. Therefore, we have to show them and teach them positive values. As parents, we know that there is a time for everything, like teachable moments, for instance. Teachable moments are when your child is listening and open to learning from what you say. This is the time that positive values can be communicated. Of course many parental attributes contribute to positive parenting. We master these skills over time, such as:

1. Awareness: Learning to recognize the quiet but positive moments of behavior that we wish to encourage.

2. Praise: Telling the child that she or he has done something that pleases us, behaved in a way that is well thought of. Also telling them why we are pleased.

3. Enjoying time together: Doing something together that the child enjoys is also an effective way of praise. Children (like us) want to feel good about themselves.

No parent can control a child’s behavior all the time. But we influence positive behavior through honest communication including listening, sharing, and model behavior. It is also true that sometimes the stress from day-to-day responsibilities and decision-making can encumber a parent’s routine character. But, by using a few safeguards, a single parent can avoid a few challenges. For instance:

1. Get a handle on finances.

2. Communicate to children necessary information about family changes.

3. Find support systems and using them.

4 . Create family time.

5. Take time for yourself.

6. Maintain a daily and organized routine.

7. Maintain consistent discipline and never forget to take care of yourself. 

As women, we sometimes get so caught up in maintaining our families that sometimes we forgo ourselves. Self-preservation is definably a positive parental influence we want to pass on to our children!