The Parent-Child Contract: An Effective Tool for Families
The Parent-Child Contract is a tool used in Restorative Parenting, designed to strengthen or repair the relationship between a parent and a child.
PARENT-CHILD CONTRACT
As a parent I agree to the following stipulation (including others to be added) and commit to my child(ren) that:
I will always be with you.
I will keep you safe from all harm.
I will respect you as a human being.
I will attach to you for the rest of our lives.
I will view you as my life extension.
I will notice, acknowledge and accept you for who you are.
I will respect your decisions and opinions.
I will guide and influence the formation of your values and behaviors.
I will always support you as a person.
I am responsible to you.
I will provide you with the nurturance to grow and develop.
I will work for your best interests.
I will plan for you to succeed.
I will never leave or abandon you.
I will make the best decisions for you that I can, until you can increasingly make those decisions for yourself.
I will increasingly provide you independence as you develop.
I will allow you to make mistakes.
I will never hurt you directly or indirectly.
I will be responsible for myself and my own behaviors.
I will offer praise, encouragement and support unconditionally.
I will offer suggestions, ideas, opinions and options.
I will love you unconditionally.
I will be sensitive to and considerate of all your ideas.
I will be sensitive to and considerate of all your feelings.
I will accept your limitations and focus on your strengths.
I will accept it when you disagree with me.
I will allow you to know when I make mistakes.
I will seek to understand you more than be understood.
I will let you experience your childhood.
I will give you opportunity to play.
I will love you when you don’t feel you love me.
I will focus more on changing me than you.
I will learn from you.
I will set limits for you.
I will be a role model to you.
I will provide you discipline.
I will provide freedom for you.
I will listen to you.
I will make decisions at times, which will anger and frustrate you.
I will be open to be confided in.
I will work hard to maintain our relationship.
I will always include you.
I will say I’m sorry when I mean it.
I will be proud of you for your accomplishments.
I will be supportive when you experience hardship.
I will encourage your contact and relationship with other supportive adults.
Add your own.
The Bridge for Youth provides free phone, walk-in, and appointment counseling services for youth, parents and families. Call (612) 377-8800 to speak with a counselor.
Tags: Behind the Scenes, Parenting