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Parents Anonymous.org stands for parents. Source: http://parentsanonymous.org/programs/national-parent-leadership-month/about/
Parents Anonymous.org stands for parents. Source: http://parentsanonymous.org/programs/national-parent-leadership-month/about/

February is National Parent Leadership Month. NPL recognizes the important role of parents as leaders and educators for their children.

National Parent Leadership month is dedicated to activating parents in raising healthy children in homes and communities. NPL promotes awareness of how parents can foster positive behaviors and prevent childhood injuries.

One way that parents can foster positive behaviors and prevent childhood injuries is through awareness of proper swing set use.

Parent Leadership Month gives you the opportunity, as parents, to keep the mindset of leadership and connection with your children.

Teaching them swing set safety can show your children how to be responsible for their actions. Hanging out with your kids and teaching them responsibility promotes connection with your parent/child bond.

Giving your child ownership in the responsibility of taking care of your swing set will promote confidence and build self esteem.

Parenting expert Laura Markham, of Aha Parenting, says this about responsibilities: “Strict parenting deprives kids of the opportunity to internalize self-discipline and responsibility.”

Teaching your kids responsibility through backyard activities such as swinging, taking care of the play set and the yard.

Even when it takes longer, letting your kids help out with tasks in the backyard will help you connect with them; teach them responsibility; and best of all, will build their confidence.

Tasks Your Kids Can Do In the Backyard:

Start small, let your kids rake leaves and pull weeds in the garden. Teach them about planting seeds. Toddlers love yard work! When my daughter was only 2, she loved to rake and dig. At 5, she still loves helping in the yard.

As they age, kids can be given more responsibility. Let them help you with the yearly maintenance around the swing set. Teach them that ownership of their toys comes with responsibility. If you frame it in the right way, they will enjoy the task and won’t grumble (too much!).

Taking Charge!

Teach your kids how to prep your swing set for summer. There are lots of ways your kids can help inspect the swing set and prep it for safety. Have them check for rust; inspect the nuts and bolts for looseness; have them help you add more mulch underneath your landing surface; check for debris; and spray WD-40 where necessary. Kids can be really helpful when it comes to checking for safety measures.

Next Up, Have Fun!

Another great aspect of National Parent Leadership Month is learning how to have fun with your kids! Once you are done teaching your kids responsibility, just have some fun!

Swing set safety is important, but the most important part of swing set is having FUN! When you are done teaching your kids how to safely inspect and maintain the swing set, have some fun with them.

Play games around the play set, climb the rock wall, and give your kids rocket pushes. A big part of National Parent Leadership Month is bonding and connecting with your child through play.

Playing with your child is another way you can show your child leadership and connection. According to Lawrence Cohen, author of Playful Parenting, “Children use play to explore the world, communicate deep feelings, get close to people that they care about, work through stressful situations, and blow off steam.”

The End Result

Through National Parent Leadership Month, you can teach your child leadership, responsibility, connection and playfulness, all part of healthy parenting! Take time, this month to teach your kids how to feel responsible, build their confidence and have fun!

 

 

 

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