As a new parent, you probably are concerned about making the best possible parenting choices for your child and are eager to make the right start and continue in that direction.
And to this end, many parents would be considering different styles of parenting to see what is right for them and their child.
The fact is of course that is almost impossible to follow fully any one particular style of parenting, but it can help to be aware of the principles of different styles advocated by different people so that informed parenting choices can be made.
Conscious parenting is the view that seeks to forge a relationship with a child on the basis of cooperation rather than the traditional view of parenting which is more closely associated with concepts such as discipline and control.
It rejects conditional parenting styles wherein love and approval are withdrawn when there is bad behavior and which doled out only conditional upon good behavior and ‘obedience’, rather the accent in conscious parenting is on compassion, love and understanding.
This form of parenting claims to be about ‘positive parenting’ as against ‘permissive parenting’, and is not about the absence of limits, rather it is about the absence of all kinds of ‘violence’ in a parent-child relationship.
Violence is not of the physical variety only; conscious parenting defines it as “punishments, shaming, verbal or emotional abuse and manipulation.”
This school of thought recognizes that words can have a very powerful effect on children who should have the right to be raised without fear of their parents, verbal abuse, aggression, shame, manipulation and all physical punishment. It asks us to recognize in our actions a frustration that gives rise to bad parenting choices.
There is the suggestion that parents ought to find ways to manage their own stress rather than have that tell on their parenting practices so that parents are able to be more aware and empathetic towards their own needs so that they are able to regulate and reconnect with themselves when they sense any kind of emotional overload.
One is required to identify the unique personality and temperament of each child and to encourage their particular abilities and work with them.
The emphasis is one loving guidance and age-appropriate limits to keep children safe and on being an “Emotional coach” to ones’ children. It is also about teaching children as well as parents, appropriate ways to channel their feelings and meet their needs.
