A nurturing tone helps when children are behaving in ways that are worrying or triggering – helping to reduce tension and strain, and fosters good relationships. Nurture is about learning to observe and respond rather than reacting without thinking.

Finding ways to be calm and attentive will assist parents in managing the moment, creating just enough space to choose how to respond. Longer-term it provides a valuable modelling, promoting emotional stability and self-regulation for children. Meditation or breath work is a great tool for this.

Nurture is using tools like positive reinforcement and effective praise, naming, recognising and rewarding what children and teens are doing well. Recognising the activity helps demonstrate the value of what is being done rather than who is doing it. Promoting safe agency for teens whilst letting them know you are noticing, actively listening and giving encouragement.

A parent’s ability to regulate their own emotions plays a significant role in their children’s ability to regulate theirs. Being or becoming more aware of your own feelings allows you to recognize how your child’s behaviour can affect your feelings, and learn to disengage negativity faster. Less yelling, and more listening, will help cultivate a better quality of parent-child relationships, and a higher level of parenting satisfaction.