People need to feel safe to talk without their ideas being criticized, judged, demeaned, or mocked.

People need to feel safe to talk without their ideas being criticized, judged, demeaned, or mocked.

A parenting program should focus on parent's attitudes to themselves, their children, and the relationships they are building with their children.

Once parents have a clear idea of their important parenting goals, beliefs, and values, they can then think about specific situations and identify the outcomes they would like to achieve in these situations. How can you be the parent you want to be whether or not your children are behaving as you would prefer?

Parents typically don't talk to each other about their goals and attitudes to parenting but this type of conversation could be very useful for helping parents become clearer about the things that are important to them.

Attitudes of optimism, of "let them be", and of joy in watching and helping another life develop and blossom will help parents relish their parenting role and will provide the resilience necessary to navigate turbulent times.

Sometimes offering support and making yourself available when the child or adolescent is ready to talk can be the most helpful you can be.