Mindful parenting focuses on learning to become aware of how those around you feel and responding in a nonjudgmental way. This type of parenting improves your ability to communicate with your child because it rests on specific elements. This is especially important if you see signs of ADHD in teens or if your children suffer from anxiety or other challenges. Consider these techniques.
Recognize Argumentative Triggers
One of the primary goals and tenants of mindful parenting is preventing conflict and promoting compassion. To do this, you need to understand what triggers conflict in your household and specifically with your children. Tension creates walls between you and your children.
Understand that your children are trying to gain independence and learn who they are. They need boundaries, but they are apt to test them, especially as teenagers. Although you shouldn’t allow them to overrun the boundaries you set, you can learn to understand their reasons or interpret their actions in a nonjudgmental way so you can redirect them.
When you learn about mindful parenting, you also benefit. You learn to control your anger and recognize your own triggers, allowing you to take a step back and approach the situation calmly and more openly to your children. This also reduces depression and anxiety in your children.
Learn and Teach Acceptance
If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD and similar, they may take medication like Adderall, which may make them feel self-conscious or like something is wrong with them. Even children without medical conditions can see flaws in themselves. You, as a parent, may also focus on your challenges and presumed insufficiencies.
However, one of the keys to mindfulness and mindful parenting is acceptance. You need to first accept yourself, flaws and all. You can strive to overcome or reverse these flaws, but you cannot beat yourself up about them.
Then, you can move on to your children and teach them to accept themselves. Speak with them and show them mindfulness techniques that can help them recognize how wonderful they are. You should also be a model for your children to follow. As you all learn acceptance, spend more time building relationships rather than in conflict.
Listen To Your Child
One of the most important things you can do for your children is learning to listen to them. Open communication is the cornerstone of a relationship, and your children need you to do more than hear their voices. You should listen to their voice patterns, hear their words and watch their nonverbal communication so you can truly interpret what they are saying.
Also, avoid interrupting them or superimposing your own feelings, thoughts and beliefs onto them. Instead, encourage them to express how they truly feel and what they think. Listen for what they truly need, especially if they seek your love and acceptance.
You cannot always give your children everything they want because they may want in error, but you can listen to them and their reasoning before gently talking to them about why your boundaries are in place. However, never negate their feelings.
As you look for underlying medical conditions, including reviewing a list of ADHD symptoms in females, when you have difficulty with your children, consider practicing mindful parenting techniques to help your children build relationships with you and accept themselves.