The Positive Parenting Program provides free parenting workshops throughout San Diego County in Head Start preschools, elementary schools, and other community sites. Workshops are designed to help parents and professionals learn how to use simple, practical, and powerful strategies to strengthen families. Workshops consist of three 90-minute seminars and include topics such as resiliency, independence, respect and cooperation in children. The curriculum is based on Triple P America, a research-based program that has been shown to promote family harmony, reduce parent-child conflict, foster successful peer relationships, and prepare children for successful experiences at school. The Positive Parenting Program is non-denominational.

“It Takes a Whole Village to Raise a Child.”
-African Proverb
 

The New York Times recently posted this article discussing the current research and merits of using Positive Parenting in communities.

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5 Steps to Positive Parenting
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5 Steps to Positive Parenting

Step 1: Ensuring a Safe, Interesting Environment
Young children need a safe play environment and adequate supervision, so there is less risk of being hurt. Adequate supervision means knowing where your child is and what they are doing at all times. Children also need an interesting environment that provides plenty of opportunities to explore, discover, experiment and develop their skills.

Step 2: Creating a Positive Learning Environment
Parents need to be available when their children need help, care or attention. It is important to help children learn by encouraging them to try things for themselves. Encouragement and positive attention help motivate children to learn. Being attentive to your children when they behave well reinforces the behavior, meaning they will more likely do it again.

Step 3: Using Assertive Discipline
Assertive discipline involves being consistent, acting quickly when children misbehave and teaching children to behave in an acceptable way. When parents use assertive discipline, children learn to accept responsibility for their behavior, to become aware of the needs of others, and to develop self-control. They are also less likely to develop behavior problems if their parents are consistent and predictable from one day to the next.

Step 4: Having Realistic Expectations
Expectations of children depend on what is considered normal for children at different ages. Children are individuals and develop at different rates. Children need to be developmentally ready before they can learn new skills. Problems may arise when parents expect too much too soon, or expect their children to be perfect. All children make mistakes. Most mistakes are not intentional. It is also important for parents to have realistic expectations of themselves. No parent can be perfect. Everyone learns through experience.

Step 5: Taking Care of Yourself as a Parent
Parenting is easier when personal needs for intimacy, companionship, recreation and time alone are being met. Being a good parent does not mean children should dominate a parent’s life. If your own needs are being met, it is much easier to be patient, consistent and available.  

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Funded by the County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency - Children’s Mental Health Services