PRODUCTS AND SOLUTIONS
Creating your own Positive Parenting Niche
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any parents have echoed that they wish there was a manual that came with parenthood, outlining how to create the best environment for their children. We, however, can all agree that while there are no instructions for doing such an important job, we must find our own unique ways to nurture these little ones into well rounded human beings. Here are four (4) tips that you can use to create your own positive parenting niche: 1.
Create an environment for the development of resilient children, through open and healthy communication. Allow children to express their emotions and ideas respectfully and without judgement. This will enable them to process their experiences freely and develop emotional intelligence.
2. Parent the child in front of you. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach to parenting a child because of their different personalities and experiences. Explore options for discipline and praise, then assess what is impactful. 3. Happy parents, happy household - find time for a mental health break. Parenthood can be stressful especially while balancing personal and professional responsibilities. It’s therefore important that you give yourself grace when faced with challenges and do things that you enjoy from time to time. 4. Teach your children about money. There are some things as adults that you wished you knew sooner. One of those is likely, money management. Expose your children to this topic in their early years and help them understand how money works by helping them develop a habit of saving. This will help them to appreciate its value and make better financial decisions as they grow older. And, we have provided more tips and resources for you to hone your parenting skills in our Positive Parenting YouTube series. VM Foundation initiated the series to create a digital village for parents who seek to develop closer relationships with their children or simply navigate parenthood in their everyday lives. The series was created in 2020 “as a response to cries for help
from parents who shared their challenges through forums and parenting hotlines during and after the pandemic. VM wants parents to know that we are here to help them and to provide resources for them to tap into – their cry for help is not going on deaf ears” Samantha Charles – CEO for VM Foundation. The episodes explore a range of topics, discussing mental health, navigating fatherhood and supporting the family, the importance of play, self-care for parents, as well as providing contacts for counsellors and institutions that can assist with parents who are yet to find their footing. This year, we collaborated with the parents of 5 and entertainment personalities Tammar and Wayne Mitchell, more popularly known as Tami and Wayne Marshall, to share their experiences on how they have created a balance in their lives as parents. This series is aimed at providing relatable insights into balancing work, family, and future planning, including financial considerations, as well as emphasizes the importance of preserving one's individual identity and dreams while supporting the aspirations of their children. Of course, not everything will apply to each household, but there is always a takeaway - either a fresh perspective or a parenting hack. Whether you are a new parent or experienced, we can learn, teach and grow together to create more positive parenting solutions. Click here to watch this and other episodes and share with us your takeaways. VM Foundation
