Becoming a mother is a wondrous occasion filled with more joy than often a new mom imagines. It can feel like her heart doubled in size, bursting with boundless love for the new life that she just created. Though fervently devoted to her little one, it is common for doubt to creep in as a new mother questions her choices and her competency as a parent. While this new role can seem daunting, there are some things a new mom can do to help her confidently face her new responsibilities.

Firstly, a new mother must ask for help and accept it when it’s offered. Many mothers want to do it all themselves. However, receiving support can mean valuable time to get more done, including sneaking in a much-needed nap or two.

Secondly, a new mother must not allow her new role to hurt her relationship with her partner. Becoming parents often affects couples negatively as they pour their attention on their children and away from each other. Therefore, new parents must create time for one another to nurture their bond, as a strong relationship is necessary for the family’s success.

Thirdly, new mothers should align themselves with those who understand their journey. Many groups consist of mothers, new mothers, and even mothers whose children were born on the same day. These groups offer support and wise counsel and meet virtually or in person. Joining a mothers’ group is an excellent way for a new mom to connect to other women who know what she’s going through.

Lastly, new mothers must enjoy this time despite all the chaos, newness, and uncertainty. What they say about it going by fast is true, so making memories is important. New mothers must play with their children, laugh with them, and enjoy their company. Ultimately, what little ones want is their parents’ attention, so a new mother must enjoy each moment with her little one and work on building a bond that will be a foundation for a loving, lifelong relationship.

A new mother must remember to be kind to herself and accept that she’s doing a great job. Even when things don’t come out as anticipated, she grows and learns and does her best.

Article originally published on JenniferPowers.me

There are many different ways to raise a child, and you’ll find that learning about the various types of parenting styles helps you start to develop a plan that works for your family. The core basis of attachment parenting is taking actions that help to cultivate a nurturing relationship between you and your child. Exploring how this works gives you more insight into whether or not this style works best for you.

What Are the Main Principles of Attachment Parenting?

There are eight main principles of attachment parenting that you’ll want to follow if you prefer to use this style completely. Attachment parenting begins even before you get pregnant and continues with breastfeeding to help create a secure attachment. As your child grows, you’ll incorporate other principles of this style, such as treating your child with respect and using loving, positive discipline.

What Challenges Come Up With This Parenting Style?

While the results of this parenting style are worth it, you’ll find that you may encounter particular challenges that make it harder to adhere to all of the principles without making a few changes. For example, some parents find it harder to cultivate a firm attachment when their child has multiple caregivers throughout the day or needs to go to another parent’s home for visitation. Fortunately, other parents have helped pave the way for meeting these challenges.

How Has Attachment Parenting Changed Over the Years?

In recent years, families have found ways to overcome some criticism and challenges that arise with this parenting style. Parents who worry about SIDS may choose to have their child sleep in the same room but use a different bassinet or bed. You may also ask your child’s other caregivers to use similar strategies, such as responding quickly to your baby’s cry rather than letting them cry it out.

As with all parenting topics, you’ll find that there are varying ways to implement this style. The most important thing is to make sure that you are consistent and choose to use the principles that work best for you — at the end of the day, helping your child develop a secure attachment to you as a parent helps them grow and develop over the years.

Article originally published on JenniferPowersNYC.medium.com

There are many life lessons that parents want to pass down to their children. Lessons such as humility and gratitude. Read more to start learning how to teach your children gratitude. 

By learning to appreciate the good and bad in life, you can help them develop a strong sense of self-awareness. Gratitude will also help them become more mindful and grateful for all the good in their lives. This information is essential for children’s development, and it can be helpful for parents as well.

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is a state of mind and mood characterized by an appreciation for life’s good things. It’s the feeling you get when you feel thankful for what you have.

A study from The Journal of Positive Psychology reports that gratitude can help people cope with negative emotions and reduce stress. Additionally, it has been shown to improve physical and mental health, increase happiness and make people more willing to help others.

For children to develop a strong sense of self-awareness, they need to learn how to appreciate the good in their lives. For kids to understand gratitude, parents need to teach them this concept early on.

Appreciating the Good and the Bad

If you can help teach your children to appreciate all the good in their lives, they will have a strong sense of self-awareness and mindfulness that will serve them well as they grow up.

It’s important to practice gratitude daily, whether during mealtime or when something nice happens in their lives. This practice can be easy:

• Simply write down the things you are grateful for.
• Share them with them.
• Discuss what made you feel thankful.
• You can even use a journal to document these moments.

Benefits of Gratitude

Gratefulness is a simple practice that can change how you feel about life and make you happier. It’s proven to help people become more mindful, necessary for healthy growth. Gratitude helps people recover from stress and live healthier lives; one study found that appreciation helped people cope with stress better.

Children benefit from practicing gratitude because they learn how to self-reflect and appreciate the good in their lives. It also helps them develop a stronger sense of self-awareness, which will help them grow into balanced adults.

How to Teach Gratitude

Preparing to teach gratitude to your children can be a fun yet challenging task. You don’t have to make a significant commitment or buy anything special to teach your children this valuable lesson. All you need is time and patience.

To teach your children gratitude, start by being aware of the good that happens in your family’s day-to-day life. Try to pay attention when something positive happens and share it with your children, so they see those good things happen every day.

Once you’ve been able to identify what good things happen in your family, then you can continue teaching them gratitude by helping them identify what they’re grateful for as well. By learning how to recognize what they are thankful for, children will appreciate the many blessings in their lives.

Article originally published on JenniferPowers.me

Effective parenting is not a formula; it is an art. But anyone can learn from the science of child development. There are patterns in how different children develop patterns in how they respond to different kinds of parenting.

Be Consistent with Discipline

The key here is to set limits and be consistent with those limits. This will give children the structure they need to learn self-control, respect for authority, and a sense of right and wrong.

Self-Esteem

A child will base his feelings of self-worth on those he gets from his parents. If the child feels loved, accepted, he will feel a sense of security in the world that will help him develop a strong sense of self-worth.

Accept They Are Not Perfect

Accept that kids will never be perfect. Perfect parents give their child everything they never had themselves and then are appalled when the child turns out to be rebellious.

Make Time

Try to take some time for each child every day. One should find enjoyable things like reading a book, going to a park, playing checkers, watching TV.

Be a Role Model

Someone should be a good role model for a child by demonstrating positive emotions and behavior. Try to be calm and remain in control at all times. One can help the child by expressing feelings positively, such as sadness or anger, but not aggressively.

Communication

The best way to be a successful parent is to prioritize communication. Children are always watching, and they will use the parent’s example. This means that people should talk to their children as often as possible and resolve conflict with them at the earliest moment.

Unconditional Love

A child who feels unconditionally loved has the strength to make that transition from childhood to adulthood. They can explore life with the courage and confidence that comes from knowing that no matter what happens, as long as he is honest and constructive, the parent will always be there for them.

Notice what They Are Doing

Somebody has to make sure that someone will notice every time kids do something wrong. And also hope that every time they’re being good, they know they are being seen and pleased with them.

As a Parent, Know the Limitations

If a person wants to be a good parent, one has to know their own needs and limitations. If a parent has a job they love and feel fulfilled by, someone needs to ask themselves if they are willing to give up some of that fulfillment to be a good parent.