Effective Parenting Strategies for Promoting Positive Behavioral Health in Children

Raising a child is certainly no easy task. That said, the right approach can make parenting easier, while also ensuring that your child is in as good of a position as possible to enjoy a healthy, fulfilling life. We’ll take a look at some approaches to parenting that can encourage positive behavioral and mental health. If you’re a parent and you’re looking for a pediatrician serving Marion and Abingdon, VA, contact Royal Oak Pediatric Associates. Dr. Anita Henley is ready to help.

Encourage Your Child to Share His or Her Feelings

If you want to encourage and support your child, you’ll need to understand him or her and how they are feeling. A lack of communication and not sharing feelings can lead to parents having to act blindly. As a result, parenting can quickly feel hit or miss.

You can more easily create a supportive environment by encouraging your child to share his or her feelings. As you learn more about your child, you’ll be in a better position to respond and engage.

Lead by Example Day In and Day Out

Children will often emulate their parents. If you want to encourage your child to engage in positive behaviors, you will also need to act positively. You can also share your feelings with your child. Walking through issues and decisions with them, including how you feel on a personal level, will help your child develop a better understanding of what makes you tick.

Not sure how to set a good example? Trying your best but need a helping hand? If you live in or near Marion and Abingdon, VA, schedule an appointment at Royal Oak Pediatric Associates. Dr. Henley can provide further advice based on your specific situations and challenges.

Reward Good Behavior (But Don’t Bribe)

It’s good to praise your child when he or she does something good. If they clean up after playtime, you should tell them how proud you are, for example. This is doubly true if they cleaned up without you even having to ask.

You don’t want to bribe children for every good behavior, however. Offering a child a cookie if he or she cleans his or her room could be setting a bad example and may lead to undesirable behavior later on. This doesn’t mean you should never reward your child. However, rewards shouldn’t feel and function like bribes.

If you live around Marion and Abingdon, VA, and want to work with a pediatrician, contact Royal Oak Pediatric Associates today. Dr. Henley can assist you and your family with behavioral issues and various other challenges. For our Marion, VA, office, call (276) 783-8183, and (276) 525-4603 for the office in Abingdon, VA.