Consideration and Sympathy

Establishing empathy in your view of your child is important in the nurturing parenting technique.  Empathy means to have consideration or sympathy for your child and his or her situation.  It can be attained by following these steps:

• Be aware, responsive, or in harmony with your child.  
  
  Walk in his or her shoes.  Imagine yourself in the child's situation.
• Bond with your child.  Take time to build your relationship.  Make QUALITY time for your family and children.
• Meet your child's basic needs.  Give them the physical things (food, shelter, etc.) they need as well as the love and nurturing needs they require.
• Nurture through gentle touch and speech, encouragement, cooperation, and being fun.  Keep touch and speech gentle and soothing.  Never resort to negative touch or speech.  Give encouragement to your children, even when they have failures.  Cooperate with them and show them that you can work together.  Most importantly make life FUN!  
• Be open about and recognizing feelings.  Help your children know that you are there to talk to when they need to.  Ask them why they are sad, or angry.  Recognize that even children can and will have these feelings and it's okay for them to express those feelings.  Assist them in expressing their feelings in a positive way.
• Keep stress minimal and recognize it.  Be aware of stress levels and recognize that stress can and will be present.  Model good coping skills for children regarding stressful situations.  Sometimes this might be difficult, but what we model to our children is what they are going to see and DO.

In applying these principles, you will find that you will become a more empathetic parent, one who is considerate and sympathetic of your child.