As a parent, you may have heard the term “compassionate parenting” coming up more often in conversations. In truth, adding compassion into our parenting techniques isn’t new – it’s more like we’re recently rediscovered the importance of parenting with compassion.
Compassionate parenting falls under the larger umbrella of positive parenting. As the name suggests, the focus is primarily on the parent doing their best to create a nurturing, warm, and sensitive environment for their children.
So how can a single parent raise their children with compassion? Continue reading to find out.
Sympathize with Your Children
Sometimes we, as parents, have to tamp down our reflexive responses. Losing a toy may not feel like a big deal to adults, but for a small child? That can feel like the biggest event of their young lives. It is our job to sympathize with our children, even when they obsess over the little things in life.
Offering your understanding is a great way to promise compassion and empathy in your child. It also ensures that they feel heard and that you take their concerns seriously. This will increase their likelihood of approaching you should something more serious happens.
Remember What It Was Like to Be a Child
Part of compassion and empathy is trying to understand what it is like to be in someone else’s shoes. Well, you were a child once! Try to remember how hard that felt at the time. You had to follow all the rules and got little say in how those rules were created. At the time, it probably felt like the most significant offense in the world (when in reality, the adults in your life were trying to do right by you).
By seeing the situation from your child’s eyes, you will have an easier time understanding why this is so upsetting. Maybe it will enable you to do something about it – but more likely, it will allow you to respond to your child and open the door for consolation and communication.
Let Them Find the Solution
This may sound counterintuitive – but sometimes you have to let the solution to a problem come from your child. It won’t do them any good if you always jump right up to solve any complaint they have. Sometimes we need to vent and be heard – this is especially true for children. So instead, sit down, listen to their concerns, and help them solve their problem.