PARENTING WITH EMPATHY The Gentle Parenting Philosophy
behind your rules and what breaking them means. This can encourage children to feel empowered and respected in the discipline process. At its core, the most important aspect of gentle parenting is rejecting traditional punishments. Gentle parenting is about teaching children appropriate behaviors through positive reinforcement and intentional understanding of emotions — inspiring good behavior by acting as a positive example rather than by fear of punishment.
Parenthood is the greatest challenge many people will ever face, and raising children today is tougher than ever before in the technology-laden and constantly shifting state of the world. There are many parenting methods, and the latest viral one, gentle parenting, deserves a closer look. This parenting philosophy focuses on a strong parent-child relationship, offering a compassionate alternative to traditional physical disciplinary methods. Gentle parenting emphasizes building a deep, intentional understanding of a child’s needs and the emotions that stem from them. Rather than punishing a child for acting out, gentle parents encourage their children to voice their concerns so they can get to the root of challenging emotions. They view
behavioral challenges as opportunities for connection and growth instead of corrections to be made. Active listening, open communication, and constructive problem-solving foster a positive
environment where children feel valued and understood.
This empathy doesn’t mean that children can mistreat parents, either. It’s still important to set boundaries. Instead of strict rules supported
By prioritizing empathy, open communication, and nonviolent discipline, you can raise children who are able to recognize, inspect, and voice their emotions in a peaceful manner.
by physical punishment, gentle parenting invites parents to collaborate with their children on decision-making. Involving children in discussions about expectations and consequences will ensure they understand the reasoning
As parents embrace these principles, they contribute to the
development of emotionally secure, confident, and well-adjusted children who will grow into great global citizens.
A TEENAGER’S LIFE MEET VLADIMIR DITTA
HOW MUSIC TRANSFORMS
Vladimir Ditta had been taking guitar lessons for over five years when he began to tire of the work. “The toughest time was when I was 10 or 11,” says Vlad, who is now 15. “It was hard to find motivation to keep playing. I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go next.”
The skill of his MnSOM instructors inspired him to stick with his lessons through painful stages of growth. “My teachers were playing some cool stuff, some very complex pieces. I thought that maybe if I kept going, I could be as good as them one day,” Vladimir says. “Now, I’m really motivated to keep playing.” Vlad, MnSOM’s longest-tenured student, started guitar lessons when he was 6. He was one of two MnSOM students chosen recently to perform at the Mall of America’s MusicLink Playathon, a fundraiser to support music instruction for low-income children. Vlad played a long guitar piece by Ferdinando Carulli that required intense concentration for more than 10 minutes. “I practiced the piece over and over and over. It was hard to feel prepared,” he says. When he arrived at the mall, he had little time to warm up, too. Nevertheless, the performance went well, he says. “I felt good about the fact
that I got to help people who want to play music gain access to instruments.”
Honing his music skills has other rewards. “My grandparents like to listen to me play during family visits,” he says. “Knowing that other people enjoyed hearing you play gives the music more meaning.” Also, Vlad says the concentration required to play the guitar well has helped him focus on his studies in school. Vlad’s long-term goal is to keep learning more complex classical pieces, experimenting in other genres, and learning about music theory. “I think maybe one day I might make a career out of music — probably not a full-time career, but a part-time career,” he says. What advice would he give to students who tire of taking lessons? “Stick with it. There are definitely going to be ups and downs, but if you stick with it and put in the effort, it will be worth it in the end.”
2 • www.mnschoolofmusic.com
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