Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible- the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nourishing family.
-Virginia Satir
https://www.parentingforbrain.com/what-is-positive-parenting/
What do I do:
- My child is self harming (cutting, starving, vomiting up food, etc.)
- talk to your child
- don’t get mad and yell (don’t panic)
- ask for help
- remove social media and watch your child very closely
- remove all sources of potential harm and lock it up
- My child is constantly defiant
- Be consistent with rules and consequences
- do not try to out match them, rather think before you act and anticipate their next move
- Use a 1-2-3 approach: warning, warning, consequences
- stop yelling or threatening
- do not result to insulting or using physical punishment it will lead no where good
- provide them choices and make them responsible for the consequences of their choice
- My child stopped talking to me and is “always” in their room
- talk to your child
- engage them in family activities
- spend some 1:1 time with them
- take inventory of when it began and attempt to put together a timeline of what may have triggered this response
- My child is suicidal
- Ask for help
- remove all sources of potential harm
- watch your child closely
- do not respond in anger
- talk to them about choices
- let them know you care
- listen, listen, listen
- Get Help
Rebecca Otten, LMFT #46527 