The Philosophy And Practices Of Nurturing Parenting

The Philosophy andPractices of NurturingParentingFamily Development Resources, Inc.1

Nurturing ParentingllNurturing is a critical skillfor all life forms on theplanet.It is important for all of usto treat others andourselves with respect,compassion, caring anddignity.2

Nurturing ParentinglNurturing comes from the Latin word Nu tritura that means to nurse, to nourish and topromote growth.3

Nurturing ParentinglNurturing Parentingemphasizes:llRaising children in a warm,caring and trusting home.Helping children berespectful,caring andcooperative.4

Nurturing ParentinglChildren who are cared forand treated respectfully willtreat themselves, others andthe environment in the samemanner.5

The Philosophy ofNurturing Parenting6

Feelings of AttachmentlAttached parents:lllExpress joy in being withtheir children.Create a safe home toexplore.Promote a sense ofsafety and security.7

Feelings of AttachmentlNurturing lessons focus onteaching parents how to:lllReally listen to the thoughtsand feelings of children.Use praise to promotecooperation.Have fun as a family.8

EmpathylParental empathy is the ability to:llRecognize children’s emotionsUnderstand the motives of theirbehavior.9

EmpathylResearch clearly shows thatchildren whose parentshave empathy:lllDo better in school.Are socially well adjusted.Are more emotionally stable.10

EmpathylNurturing lessons focuson:llTeaching parents andchildren to care forthemselves, others, andtheir environment.Avoiding the dangers ofdrugs, alcohol and otherself-injurious activities.11

Nurturing OneselflParents who take timeeach day getting theirown needs met aremore capable ofunderstanding andhelping children gettheir needs met.12

Nurturing OneselflNurturing lessons focus on:lllHelping parents recognize thebasic needs of adults andchildren.Understanding the importance ofmeeting basic needs.Helping children make goodchoices to enhance their ownpersonal self worth.13

DisciplinelCritical aspects of Nurturing Parenting include:lllSetting limits through family rules.Teaching right from wrong through family morals.Teaching respect and self-worth through family values.14

DisciplinellDiscipline cannot beimposed, beaten into,or forced on children.Discipline developsbest by childrenmodeling parentswhose example theyadmire.15

DisciplinelNurturing lessons helpparents learn:llAlternatives to hitting,spanking, and yelling.Positive, nurturingdisciplinary strategiesand techniques.16

Expressing FeelingslEmotional competenceis the ability to:llIdentify and appropriatelyexpress personalfeelings.Recognize andappropriately respond tothe feelings of others.17

Expressing FeelingslNurturing lessons teachparents and children:lllThe difference betweenfeelings of comfort anddiscomfort.Healthy ways to expressemotional energy.Ways to manage andreduce feelings of stressand anger.18

Expectations and Self-WorthlChildren’s overall feelings ofworth are lowered whenparents:llMake demands on children thatthey are unable to meet.Have no expectations.19

Expectations and Self-WorthlNurturing lessons helpparents learn:lllAppropriate stages ofdevelopment.Ways to build self-worth inchildren.The importance ofunderstanding neurologicaldevelopment in children.20

Gentle TouchlThe use of gentle touchcontributes to:lllPositive brain development.The ability to form trustingrelationships throughout life.A healthy perception of bodyimage.21

Gentle TouchlNurturing lessons teachparents:llThe positive impact gentletouch has on children’soverall development.Ways to use gentle touch toenhance parent-childrelationships.22

Nurturing as a LifestylellNurturing is the ability to care.To nurture is to promote the growth anddevelopment of all positive traits, qualities andcharacteristics.23

Nurturing as a LifestylelTo nurture is to :llllTreat oneself with caring,kindness, and respect.To keep ourselves physically andemotionally healthy.To make good choices.To be our own best friend.24

Why Don’t We NurtureOurselves?lllWithin everyone is the potential to care or tohurt.This potential is fueled by the experienceswe’ve had during our lifetime.Inside everyone are four distinct traits of ourpersonality that define the way we’re capableof treating ourselves and others.25

The NurturerllThe part of our personalitythat is capable of givingcare, concern andcompassion.The caregiver we are withour children is our Nurturer.26

The NurturedlThe part of ourpersonality that iscapable of:lllReceiving care.Seeking closeness andattachments.Accepting praise andpositive touch.27

The PerpetratorlThe part of ourpersonality that can be:lllCruel, and abusive toself and others.Capable of hurtingothers.Disregards the respectof other living things andobjects.28

The VictimllThe part of our personalitythat believes the hurt andpain given by others isjustified and valid.The victim believes thehurt received is for his orher own good.29

Nurturing ParentingNurturing l the Time10Hurting ParentingAll the Time10Often987Sometimes654Infrequent321Never030

Reasons to be NurturinglIf parents practicednurturing most of thetime:llChildren would developa very “nurtured” part oftheir personality.Children would developvery “nurturing” ways oftreating others.31

Reasons to be NurturinglIf hurting parenting is practiced often:llChildren develop the “victim” part of theirpersonalityCome to believe that being “victimized” is anatural and frequent part of life.32

Reasons to be NurturingllLife as a victim givesbirth to life as aperpetrator.The training to be aperpetrator comes fromexperiences as avictim.33

Inability to Nurture OurselveslThe inability of adults tonurture themselves isbased on the belief thatwe don’t deserve to betreated with respect.34

Why Nurturing is ImportantllWhen you do notnurture yourself, it isimpossible to nurtureothers.Take time each day fora nurturing activity andeveryone benefits!35

2 Nurturing Parenting l Nurturing is a critical skill for all life forms on the planet. l It is important for all of us to treat others and ourse