It’s all very well to talk, but it’s not so easy to be a positive parent all the time.

Here are a few tips from Miriam on how to maximise your positive parenting skil

• No one said parenting would be easy! Don’t be too hard on yourself. This is a learning process for everyone and some days will be tough.
• Take care of yourself. Ask for support from friends and relatives if you need to. Most people are glad to help! When your own battery is flat, you have nothing to give to your children.
• Adjust your expectations. Home life is not always happy and it is not your job to make everything okay for everybody all the time.
• Give it time and don’t give up. Consistency and repetition are the name of the game.
• See to your child’s physical needs first. If they are hungry or tired they are less likely to co-operate.
• Be realistic in your expectations. A child who has been sitting still all morning and is bored needs a run in the park before you expect him or her to sit down quietly and read a book.
• Try to see things from their point of view. Balance that with your own.
• Talk with them, not at them. Guide the conversation to show that you are listening.
• Be prepared to admit your own mistakes.
• Look for the positive. When you deliberately look for things your children are doing right, you will find many such things. Then constantly mention what you see. This will reinforce their sense of security and self-esteem and create a much more positive atmosphere.
• Avoid arguments by dealing with conflict in quiet moments.