The Parental Monitoring of Children's Behaviors

Keeping an eye on your children may be one of those obvious parenting practices that many parents understand as necessary and important when raising children. The actual process of monitoring children̵7;s behaviors and actions can prove much more complicated, however, thanks to the variety of activities that youngsters often pursue.

  1. Importance of Parental Monitoring

    • Parental monitoring involves setting clear expectations for a child and following through to make sure the youngster keeps within the established boundaries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When parents engage in supervision and monitoring of offspring, the children usually experience fewer health and behavior problems, states the CDC. Children also tend to show stronger decision-making skills, often based on the values and opinions parents have shared with them.

    Laying the Foundation

    • Before you can adequately monitor your child, lay the foundational ground rules for her to follow, suggests the Eugene School District website. Communicate rules and boundaries clearly and also establish what will happen if your youngster fails to follow rules. The combination of rules and stated consequences becomes the structural base of your discipline system for your child.

    Stepping Back

    • With your foundation firmly in place, step back to supervise and monitor your child. Give him an opportunity to meet your expectations while you monitor activities to see how he does. Watch your child̵7;s actions and behaviors when you̵7;re with him to enable you to notice habits. If you see positive behaviors, provide affirmative feedback so your child knows he̵7;s succeeding. If you see negative behaviors, discuss the issues with your youngster and guide him toward more positive behaviors and choices.

    Effective Supervision

    • Effective supervision of a child involves knowing where she is and who she̵7;s with at all times, according to the SchoolFamily website. Maintain communication with your youngster so you know what she̵7;s doing as well. Supervise your child's media and online activities, also, including computer, Internet, games and cell phone usage. Aside from the physical monitoring of your child̵7;s activities, parental monitoring also includes emotional monitoring to stay connected. Spend time catching up with your youngster every day, learning about events, plans, hopes and dreams. Delve into feelings and fears also, to help your child navigate the process of learning and growing. Take the time to meet and get to know your child̵7;s friends and meet their parents, as well, to create an environment of familiarity within your youngster̵7;s world.

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