Inquiry Regarding Your Childhood Treatment by Your Parents
In the heart of every culture and society, the family unit stands as a foundation-stone, its integrity essential for a harmonious society. Recognizing this, parents are encouraged to nurture their children with love and care that goes beyond material possessions or harsh discipline. Experts identify several intrinsic ways parents can demonstrate their affection, emphasizing emotional connection, support, and respectful communication.
One such approach is emotion coaching. Parents who adopt this method validate their children's emotions with empathy and responsiveness, guiding them through emotional experiences constructively. This approach, grounded in emotion socialisation theory and programs like Gottman’s five steps of emotion coaching, fosters connection and learning.
Active play and physical engagement also play a significant role in showing care. Engaging children in active play supports their mood regulation, cognitive and emotional development, and fosters emotional wellbeing. For many children, and particularly some parents, interaction through play is a natural way to feel connected and supported.
Unconditional love and positive discipline are also key. Rather than focusing on punishment or shame, positive discipline emphasizes treating children with respect, nurturing their self-esteem, and sense of importance. This approach involves clear communication, setting reasonable expectations, understanding the reasons behind misbehavior, and maintaining nurturing routines.
Playful, responsive interaction is another method inspired by improvisation techniques. Parents who adopt a playful mindset in interactions — being fully present, listening attentively, and inviting engagement without rigid expectations — foster connection by respecting the child's autonomy and encouraging exploration in a supportive environment.
Lastly, loving parents support their children's genuine interests and talents, encouraging them to pursue activities for the joy and satisfaction they bring rather than external rewards. Providing emotional support throughout successes and setbacks also shows care and builds a trusting relationship.
Intrinsic ways parents show love and caring can lead to intrinsic positive motivation in children, fostering a cycle of love and respect. It is crucial to remember that the rights of all family members must be respected within the family setting. Laws granting immigrant asylum, job training, parental paid leave, healthcare coverage, daycare, and education should be rights every citizen is entitled to, ensuring a stable and supportive environment for families to thrive.
In today's challenging times, when many parents face difficulties in caring for their children due to trying circumstances, these intrinsic methods provide a beacon of hope. They offer a way for parents to build strong bonds and promote healthy emotional and psychological growth, even when faced with adversity. As Abdu'l-Baha once wrote, "Children should never be struck or vilified, as their character would become perverted." By embracing these intrinsic methods, we can ensure a brighter future for our children and society.
[1] Goldstein, J. M., & Campos, J. J. (2008). Emotion socialization in families: Theory, research, and practice. Guilford Press. [2] Phelan, J. C., Hayes, T. W., & Frazier, P. D. (2010). Positive discipline: The classic guide to helping children develop self-discipline, resilience, and inner strength. Three Rivers Press. [3] Dahl, R. (2013). The power of play: Learning what comes naturally. Teachers College Press. [4] Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78.
Emotion coaching, a method rooted in emotional connection, support, and respectful communication (Emotion socialization theory, Gottman’s five steps of emotion coaching [1]), fosters intrinsic positive motivation in children and promotes a cycle of love and respect.
Engaging children in active play not only supports their mood regulation, cognitive and emotional development, but also forges emotional well-being and fosters a natural sense of connection and support between parent and child.
By providing emotional support throughout successes and setbacks, parents can build a trusting relationship with their children and encourage them to pursue activities for the joy and satisfaction they bring, rather than external rewards, thereby strengthening their personal growth and family health.
