(French version<\/a>,\u00a0Spanish version<\/a>)<\/p>\n Aware Parenting Consists of:<\/p>\n The 10 principles of Aware Parenting<\/p>\n (French version<\/a>,\u00a0German version<\/a>,\u00a0Spanish version<\/a>)<\/p>\n 1. Aware parents fill their children’s needs for physical contact (holding, cuddling, etc.). They do not worry about “spoiling” their children.<\/p>\n 2. Aware parents accept the entire range of emotions and listen non-judgmentally to children’s expressions of feelings. They realize that they cannot prevent all sadness, anger, or frustration, and they do not attempt to stop children from releasing painful feelings through crying or raging.<\/p>\n 3. Aware parents offer age-appropriate stimulation, and trust children to learn at their own rate and in their own way. They do not try to hurry children on to new stages of development.<\/p>\n 4. Aware parents offer encouragement for learning new skills, but do not judge children’s performance with either criticism or evaluative praise.<\/p>\n 5. Aware parents spend time each day giving full attention to their children. During this special, quality time, they observe, listen, respond, and join in their children’s play (if invited to do so), but they do not direct the children’s activities.<\/p>\n 6. Aware parents protect children from danger, but they do not attempt to prevent all of their children’s mistakes, problems, or conflicts.<\/p>\n 7. Aware parents encourage children to be autonomous problem-solvers and help only when needed. They do not solve their children’s problems for them.<\/p>\n 8. Aware parents set reasonable boundaries and limits, gently guide children towards acceptable behavior, and consider everyone’s needs when solving conflicts. They do not control children with bribes, rewards, threats, or punishments of any kind.<\/p>\n 9. Aware parents take care of themselves and are honest about their own needs and feelings. They do not sacrifice themselves to the point of becoming resentful.<\/p>\n 10. Aware parents strive to be aware of the ways in which their own childhood pain interferes with their ability to be good parents, and they make conscious efforts to avoid passing on their own hurts to their children.<\/p>\n Aware Parenting is based on the work of Dr. Aletha Solter. For more information, please see Dr. Aletha Solter’s books,\u00a0The Aware Baby<\/em><\/a>,\u00a0Helping Young Children Flourish<\/em>,<\/a> Tears and Tantrums<\/em>,<\/a> and\u00a0Raising Drug-Free Kids<\/a><\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 1994 by Aletha Solter<\/p>\n\n
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Attachment-style parenting<\/dt>\n![\"blue](\"http:\/\/www.awareparenting.com\/bludot.gif\")
Natural childbirth and early bonding<\/dd>\nPlenty of physical contact<\/dd>\nProlonged breast-feeding<\/dd>\nPrompt responsiveness to crying<\/dd>\nSensitive attunement<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n\n
Non-punitive discipline<\/dt>\nNo punishments of any kind\u00a0(including spanking, “time-out”, and artificial “consequences”)<\/dd>\nNo rewards or bribes (based upon behavioral performance) \u00a0– Italicized content added by Angie for clarification<\/em><\/dd>\nA search for underlying needs and feelings<\/dd>\nAnger management for parents<\/dd>\nPeaceful conflict-resolution\u00a0(family meetings, mediation, etc.)<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n\n
Healing from stress and trauma<\/dt>\nRecognition of stress and trauma (including unmet needs) as primary causes of behavioral and emotional problems<\/dd>\nEmphasis on prevention of stress and trauma<\/dd>\nRecognition of the healing effects of play, laughter, and crying in the context of a loving parent\/child relationship<\/dd>\nRespectful, empathic listening and acceptance of children’s emotions<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n![\"line\"](\"http:\/\/www.awareparenting.com\/sb10-1.gif\")
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