Providing a Nurturing Environment

A Safe and Productive Home for Children

With the many negative influences our children encounter daily, it is difficult to understand their every issue. Learning to provide a nurturing environment for our children will give them a chance to be a productive and well behaved people. Here is some advice that can be put into practice to create a more joyful and nurturing atmosphere.

• Encourage your children to speak up when they need to share their emotions. Allowing your children to share what they feel, even if its a negative feeling, will open up the chance for communication. Make sure your children understand feelings are okay, as long as they know which ones they are able to act out.

• Make sure its understood that your children are more important than their accomplishments. Example: you will be just as proud of your children if they win first place in the singing competition as you'd be if they came in last. Their performance won't determine how much you love them.

• Be involved in your children lives means being aware of what they are up to. Know their friends, their goals, their wants and needs. Be there to help them out when they're discouraged, needing advice, or needing to vent. Be open to discuss any subject they are interested in and don't have taboo subjects. Be comfortable enough with them to discuss anything.

• Set rules and enforce them. Children should be aware of what is expected from them. Rules should be easy to understand and if they are broken your children should be accountable. Everyone in the household should be responsible for their own actions. Don't make unclear and inconsistent rules which will only confuse your children.

• Provide a relaxed atmosphere where your children can feel accepted for their individual differences. Allow them to make decisions based on their likes and dislikes and allow them to feel loved for their differences. Don't shame or criticize your children for being different.

• Make your child feel loving and help them develop a high self-esteem.