– PARENTING –
DEVELOPING POSITIVE SOCIAL SKILLS By Julie Markle
A
s parents, we can all identify with the pride that our children’s accomplishment brings. Whether their team just won the championship game, or they are walking across a stage to gain recognition for a positive impact they are making, we feel honored too. We do not, however, often discuss the feelings we experience when the recognition they are gaining is for a negative impact. The phone call we receive from the school principal, or parent, when our child is not making good decisions.
of your team, someone who cares deeply about helping your child develop and grow into a responsible, accountable individual. Resist the urge to become defensive or angry.
What if you are faced with the realization that your child is bullying others? At that moment, the best decision you could possibly make is to stop and breathe. As you listen to the information that is being shared, consider the source as a member
Remember, depending on your child’s age, they may not yet possess the verbal skills to express feelings of anger, depression, or frustration but may instead act out those emotions with their behaviors.
18 ParenthoodIQ.com • WINTER 2019-20
Try not to allow this information to feel like an attack on your parenting skills or as a defining moment for how your child is viewed by others. Resist the urge to ignore this information and instead begin the dialogue with your child to better understand what is causing this behavior.
