Hey there!

This is it! It’s the final day of the “How to Be a Positive Parent” mini-course!

What say we close out strong by busting a major myth about positive parenting? 

When most of us started on this journey to being a more positive parent in our child’s life - we were faced with many doubts, questions, and misconceptions.

And to add to that, we’re often also judged for our choices. 

(Both from those around us, and ourselves too.)

They range from critical thoughts...

“You’re being too lenient.”

To despairing future predictions...

“They’ll grow up to be soft kids who can’t face life”

Making it easy for you to worry about how this will impact your child’s future.

But, we’re here to remind you to pay no heed to those thoughts or concerns. They couldn’t be more wrong.

Positive parenting is NEVER permissive parenting. (Myth busted!)

Positive parenting is NOT helicopter parenting either. 

Being a positive parent means nurturing and caring for your kids, in a loving peaceful manner. Even when you hold the limit and enforce boundaries.

It means choosing to not let your triggers, traumas, and fear-filled conditioning (which will still pop up) guide your words, reactions, and choices as a parent.

It means we show up and support our children when they are at their best AND when they are at their worst. So they can grow into responsible, confident, and independent adults.

It means when situations arise (and they will!) we handle it gently but firmly, using empathy and positive discipline tools. 

One part of positive parenting is teaching our kids to be strong and emotionally intelligent - so they can handle the ups and downs of life. 

We’ve focused mainly on this part in the mini-course so far.

Today we look at the other side: Giving our kids the life skills and “work ethic” needed to confidently take on life as an adult. 

Julie Lythcott-Haims, (whose TED talk on “how to raise successful kids without over-parenting” has been viewed over 5 MILLION times!) dropped in some brilliant advice on how we can fulfill this side of our parenting responsibilities.

And like everything in life, it starts small and develops over time. 

She says independence in adulthood starts with being able to confidently and regularly do chores as a child. 

Long-term studies have proven this idea, but it makes sense even logically. 

Being able to learn a new skill, struggle, try, fail and eventually master it - is a great way to build resilience and self-confidence.

Now getting your child to start doing chores might seem like a nightmare awaiting you. (Especially if they are older and were not asked to do any chores until now.) 

You can probably already envision all the pushback, whining and tears. Not to mention the extra mess for you to clean up. 

But in an Academy masterclass, Julie shared a simple 4-step-process to help you get your child started on any chore or life skill and ‘foster their independence'.

We’ve put together a detailed guide explaining the 4 steps process, with a follow-along for implementing it

(So you can see how to gently, but firmly resolve any initial struggle / backlash that arises.)

Download Your Day #6 Guide To Raising Independent Adults Here

You can try this with children as young as little toddlers, and as old as tweens/teens! Just be sure to simplify, or scale up the chores based on the age and abilities of your child.

And be patient. Your effort will soon be rewarded when you see the confidence blossom in your child.

Your biggest supporter,
Sumitha

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P.S.: I’m sad the 6-day mini-course is done. But so proud of you for sticking through to the end! Go you!

To honor your commitment to the parenting journey, I’ve put together a 🎁 surprise gift 🎁 for you. Watch out for it in tomorrow’s email!