Tic Toc challenges have been all the rage for 2020 and 2021, but instead of a funny challenge how about a meaningful one? Check out this parenting challenge for 2021!
30 Day Parenting Challenge for 2021
Every parent struggles with feelings of doubt about their parenting choices and parenting skills.
I think this is especially true after the hectic year of 2020.
Maybe you coped with the stress of the pandemic and restrictive lockdowns by using less than ideal parenting tactics? (Please tell me I’m not the only one.)
Lots of parents feel like they need to improve their relationship with their kids, but they’re not exactly sure where to start.
What Is The 30 Day Parenting Challenge?
Because of this, I’ve created a little parenting challenge to help you improve your relationship with your kids. This challenge is perfect for anyone and everyone because it works with kids of all ages.
How Does the Parenting Challenge Work?
This challenge is focused exclusively on how you, as the parent, can make an improvement on your end of the parent/child relationship.
When a relationship is stressed, we often focus on all of the things we wish the other person would change. The truth is though, we will see faster improvement within the relationship by focusing on improving our own actions and behavior. Even in a parent/child relationship.
The Challenge Tasks Are Outlined Below:
This challenge has four simple (but powerful) tasks that you’ll complete each day.
Give Two 8 Second Hugs
The first task is to give each of your children at least two 8 second hugs everyday.
Hugs are important because they have been scientifically proven to improve mood, boost happiness, and help regulate the nervous system.
Hugging your kids is good for their mental and physical health – yours too.
No Yelling
“New research suggests that yelling at kids can be just as harmful as hitting them; in the two-year study, effects from harsh physical and verbal discipline were found to be frighteningly similar. A child who is yelled at is more likely to exhibit problem behavior, thereby eliciting more yelling.”
Yelling at our kids never feels good. Use this 30 day challenge to really focus on alternative forms of communication and direction.
Make Eye Contact at Least 4 Times A Day
Eye contact is one of the most basic forms of human connection. Although, it’s often taken for granted especially with our kids.
Make a special effort to focus on your children by making eye contact with them. It will let them know that you care about them and what they’re saying or doing.
Put Down Your Phone
How often are you distracted by your phone when your kids are around?
When we are looking at our phone and ignoring our kids, we send an unspoken message that our kids are less important to us.
Put down your phone whenever one of your kids is around. This will show them that you are attentive and available.
Evaluating The Challenge
After 30 days of not yelling at your kids, giving them 8 second hugs, making intentional eye contact, and putting your phone down whenever they’re around, your relationship with each of your kids is going to improve drastically.
