Making use of the PRIDE Technique in Parenting

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If you’ve ever had kids or been around children, you’ll know just how playful they are. During their formative years, much time will be spent playing. As parents and caregivers, we should see to it that we keep ourselves involved during playtime when we can. 

 

Allowing our children time on their own is essential to honing independence, but we need to balance this out with keeping a strong and nurturing connection to them. The PRIDE technique helps you with just that.

 

PRIDE Skills

PRIDE is an acronym that guides parents and caregivers when interacting with children. Some parents may find that even as they play with their children, they’re not making the most out of their time spent together. The acronym stands for: praise, reflect, imitate, describe and enjoy. Let’s take a look at these skills one at a time.

 

Praise

This is likely something many parents are already familiar with. However, praise can sometimes be easy to forget to do so. Early childhood is when children begin to learn right from wrong. By praising good behavior, they’ll know that this is something that’s good and should be repeated. Likewise, try to ignore badaction if it’s minor. Pay more attention to praise positive behavior.

 

For example, when the child puts away their toys after playing with them, commend them for it. You can say something like, “good job keeping your playroom very neat.”

 

Reflect

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Some parents may tend to ignore the things that their children say, as they are often naive. This is not very nurturing or productive. When spending time with your kids, reflect on what they say and voice it out. This shows that you are listening and promotes communication — which is even more critical in the life of a child after parents’ divorce, if you’re in that situation. However, try to avoid giving questions. Let your child lead the way playtime goes.

 

Let me present an example. A young child comments that they see a man with a funny hat on. You can answer by responding “yes, that is a very silly hat!”

 

Imitate

Imitation is the most excellent form of flattery. This also shows approval towards your child’s actions. You can do this together (cooperative play) or separately by mimicking what your child does (parallel play).

 

For example, you could play dress-up together. Likewise, you can share in other activities such as dancing or coloring together.

 

Describe

It may be tiring and, admittedly, sometimes annoying when children describe everything. Yes, we know the couch is dirty, the sky is blue and the dog is barking. However, we have to be patient and also do the describing ourselves. This helps build vocabulary in our children and models speech.

 

You can try by vocalizing what the child is doing. For example, describe as they draw. “You’re drawing a sun with sunglasses. Dogs are playing on the grass in a park.”

 

Enjoy

 

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Here’s one thing that many parents may forget about at times: enjoyment. We all get caught up in worries and stress sometimes, that we forget to take a step back and enjoy time with our kids. Allow yourself to enjoy what your kids are doing and express it to them. This isn’t just for adolescents either — being a positive part of your child’s life is also part of knowing how to handle teenage angst. This builds a warm and nurturing feeling between you and your children.

 

You can express this vocally. For example, “thank you for letting me color the elephant.” Likewise, you can also show enjoyment by smiling, hugging the child and staying close to them.

How to Correct a Child’s Misbehavior

Kids tend to create trouble unknowingly or intentionally. Discipline is a must to prevent child behavior problems that may arise from this behavior. Parents need to put rules to anticipate this from happening. They have to explain the reasons why their kids are at fault. Otherwise, these instances would become bad habits if left unchecked. Experience wise, spending time and interacting with them is the best way to correct these misbehaviors.

How to confront your children

Parents can think of stratagems to fix a child’s behavioral problems without mentally or physically scarring them. It may pose some challenge, but it is not an impossible thing to implement. Here are some tips to correct your child’s wrongdoing.

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  •   Lying

There are many times when kids don’t want to admit their wrongdoings, so they start to lie. It is a usual defense mechanism which gets them into more trouble and will become a habit if left uncorrected. Try telling them stories and fairy-tales about honesty which will remind them that lying is not good. Don’t overwhelm them with anger and fury if they ever admit that they are at fault. Ask them what is wrong and how bad is it for them to lie so you can help if needed and save the punishment for later.

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  •   Stealing

Kids are very envious. They tend to have their eyes set on nice looking and colorful things and take it. It becomes a problem if they get it from others without permission. It may evolve into a pressing mental issue called kleptomania if not corrected. 

You have to educate them to ask permission if they yearn for something that’s not theirs even if it’s from their family members. Demonstrate to them that stealing is a terrible thing by setting them in an imaginary scenario with them as a victim. You can point out that they would also feel terrible if other people steal their things or get their things without their permission.

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  •   Bullying

Bullying starts when kids start to make a circle of friends. There are times when other kids they don’t like unknown or new kids from interacting with them. Sometimes they will use violent means to force other kids out in worst cases. 

Young kids especially do this if they find the other kid is physically or behaviorally different and pick on them. Parents can change this by explaining to them that it is terrible to bully others. Clarify that everyone is unique and not to judge a person by how they look. Make them understand that there is no good in hurting other people. 

The parents should learn to differentiate discipline from punishment. Punishment is about making your kid suffer for the wrong things they have done. On the other hand, discipline is to make them understand the crazy things they did and that there are consequences for their actions. Sometimes punishment is unavoidable, but parents should keep it to a minimum if possible.