8 Core Better Parent Skills

Introducing the 8 Core Better Parent Skills

The 8 Core Better Parent Skills framework is designed to create win-win situations with your child, improve their behavior, get them to listen and cooperate, and help you stay calm and increase your fulfillment as a parent.

Parents often share common struggles: "My child just won't listen," "Everything ends in an argument," "I can't get along with my kids," "All I do is yell," and "I always give in and then get furious!" If you find yourself facing these challenges, the 8 Core Better Parent Skills might be just what you need!

These skills are the foundation of my Master Program - Small Changes, Big Impact - and aim to guide you from being a struggling busy parent to becoming the Better Parent—the parent you want to be and that your family deserves! More details can be found HERE. 

The 8 Core Better Parent Skills

1. Being an Aware Parent
2. Get Specific About What We Want
3. Prioritize the Parent-Child Relationship Over the Current Problem
4. Communicate Effectively and Listen to Your Kids
5. Back Up Active Listening with Constructive Comments
6. Issue Effective Instructions
7. Focus on The Behavior You Want to See More Of
8. How to Implement Effective and Appropriate Consequences

Skill 1: Being an Aware Parent

Being an aware parent means building and practicing new skills, focusing on avoiding reactive arguments, and strengthening relationships with our children. In heated moments, questions like "Why don't you ever listen to me?" often lead to emotional turmoil. Instead, we need to move away from language and questions that escalate conflicts, especially when emotions are high.

Skill 2: Get Specific About What We Want

To communicate effectively with our children, we must be clear about the problem and its impact. Children often don't know what we want unless we are specific with our instructions. This clarity helps avoid conflicts and hurt feelings.

Skill 3: Prioritize the Parent-Child Relationship Over the Current Problem

The Better Parent remembers that arguments never benefit the relationship with their child; they only breed regret and resentment. When emotions are high, healthy discussion becomes impossible. It takes strength to avoid destructive words and instead focus on maintaining respect and role modeling positive behavior.

Skill 4: Communicate Effectively and Listen to Your Kids

True communication involves active listening. This means fully engaging with our children, understanding their feelings, and showing empathy. In conflicts, the Better Parent practices active listening by giving their child full attention, suspending judgment, and showing empathy.

Skill 5: Back Up Active Listening with Constructive Comments

By offering constructive feedback, you empower your children to communicate effectively and solve problems. Comments like "What can we do to solve this problem?" or "Tell me again using your inside voice" foster trust and open the door for productive conversations.

Skill 6: Issue Effective Instructions

Clear, respectful, and firm instructions increase compliance. Children learn to cooperate when they understand exactly what is expected of them, delivered consistently.

Skill 7: Focus on The Behavior You Want to See More Of

One of the most effective parenting techniques is directing attention to positive behavior. By noticing and acknowledging desirable behavior and withholding attention from negative actions, children learn that acting reasonably and considerately brings positive attention and feedback.

Skill 8: How to Implement Effective and Appropriate Consequences

Appropriate consequences and offering choices teach children how to regulate their behavior. Applied in a reasonable, relatable, and respectful manner, consequences help children develop self-efficacy, responsibility, and agency.

You've just scratched the surface of what the 8 Core Better Parent Skills entail. These essential skills aim to transform your parenting approach, fostering cooperation, improving behavior, and enhancing your family's overall well-being.

If you are keen to explore the 8 Core Skills in more detail - my Better Parent Master Course Small Changes Big Impact  has more in-depth guidance and is full of informative and supportive ideas! More details on the website or follow the link HERE. Let's embark on this journey together towards positive change in your family's life. I'm eager to support you every step of the way.

Looking forward to connecting with you soon and wishing you all the best in your parenting journey.

Anna xx