Is tough love effective with your kids?
Research from the UK now shows that warmth and discipline (tough love) impacts a child’s overall success more than their parents’ income or social status.
Tough love isn’t a phrase that often gets associated with warmth…because of the word “tough” being in there and all…
But what the research points out is that when you develop your children’s ability to empathize and self-regulate their own feelings, they’re better able to connect with others and relate to people.
That in turn makes them more successful individuals because getting along with people is such a key part of being successful in life…
The biggest thing to take away from this “tough love” approach, according to Sonia Sodha the head of the research team, is to set rules, and apply them consistently and fairly so that your kids know where the boundaries are to their behavior.
Consistency and fairness is a big part of it because if you’re inconsistent and unfair, your kids won’t feel safe and they’ll be less likely to see you as someone they can trust and rely on.
That’s when the bad behaviors and defiance from your kids can start coming up because they don’t know what to expect.
More Parenting Advice: What does “tough love” mean to you and how do you use it in your family? Or do you avoid it?
Tough Love Breeds Smart Kids [ABC Au]
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