Parenting in Montana

You know those days when, as a parent or caregiver, you feel like you don't know what to do to help your child or feel frustrated with your child's behavior? Most parents have experienced these feelings. What if I told you that there is a quick and easy resource to help you figure out what to do? There's an amazing website called ParentingMontana.org that might be helpful to you or someone you know.

ParentingMontana.org is a free website designed to help support parents and caregivers (grandparents, neighbors, daycare providers, etc.) on a variety of common issues, including listening, friendships, stress, meltdowns, anger, homework, mixed messages about alcohol, chores and more. Why is this website important and helpful to you? Because it helps you develop your child's social and emotional skills!

Social and emotional skills include understanding and managing oneself, relating to others and making responsible choices based on self and others.

Why are Social-Emotional skills important?

Social and emotional skills are key life skills that everyone needs to be successful individuals. Specifically, these skills include being able to recognize and regulate emotions, empathize and care about others, make good decisions, behave ethically and responsibly, establish and maintain positive relationships and avoid negative behaviors.

Research shows that social and emotional skills are associated with positive outcomes like graduating from high school on time and obtaining stable employment as well as avoiding negative outcomes like being arrested and engaging in substance misuse. Developing social-emotional skills in childhood is important but these skills can also be strengthened and improved throughout a person's lifetime. Parents and caregivers can intentionally grow these skills in their children and in themselves.

To find more information about how you can access this website and obtain "Tools for your Child's Success," go to the link provided. The website does not require you to register or sign up – so no login required – and it was designed to easily use either computer or smartphone. It's as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Go to the website http://www.ParentingMontana.org;

2. 'Hover' over the age you are interested in (see the boxes or "buttons" that are available on the home screen;

3. Select your topic, and read!

For more important background on the how and why the tools offered are successful, click the "Resources" button at the bottom of the home screen. On the left, you will find state and local resources that are available to you and to the right, you will find a series of brief articles including "Intentional Communication," "Parenting Process for Your Child's Success" and "Social and Emotional Development" that can be good information to know or be a good reminder.

*Information for this article was taken directly from the ParentingMontana website.