7-Day Intentional Parenting Challenge: Simple Steps to Boost Your Child’s Emotional Health

Audrey Malone, MSW, LCSW
May 17
4 min read

Updated: Jun 12

For the past thirty years, I've engaged in numerous roles involving children. I've run children's camps, worked with orphans in Mexico, taught parent-child attachment skills at women's shelters, operated my own private practice with at-risk children and teens, and parented my own children, who are now adults. These experiences have instilled a deep passion for the significance of the parent-child relationship and attachment. I discovered that connection is crucial. Sadly, we live in a very disconnected world, which can negatively impact our relationships with our children if we don't practice Intentional Parenting.

If you feel that parenting is a struggle, and you’re juggling a million things while trying to raise happy, emotionally healthy kids: You’re not alone! Parenting is tough. Here’s the good news: small, intentional steps can make a huge difference in your child’s emotional well-being. Imagine a week where you feel confident, connected, and equipped to teach your child skills for life. Ready to make it happen? This 7-day parenting challenge is packed with clear, easy-to-follow strategies to nurture your child’s emotional health, teach them resilience, and strengthen your bond.

Why This 7-Day Challenge Works

Each day focuses on one actionable step to build your child’s emotional intelligence. You'll learn how to help them navigate feelings, relationships, and challenges. These tips are therapist-approved, parent-tested, and designed to fit into your busy life. Share it to spread the love!

Picture this: Your child comes home upset after a tough day. Instead of a meltdown, you calmly guide them through their emotions, teaching them how to cope. That’s the power of Intentional Parenting—and it starts with you. Let’s make this week a game-changer for your family.

Day 1: Connect to Your Self | Know Your Parenting Superpower

What to Do: Reflect on your strengths as a parent. Are you patient? A great listener? Write down one thing you’re proud of and how it helps your child.

Teach Your Child: Show them how to recognize their strengths. Say, “You’re really good at sharing—how does that make you feel?”

Why It Works: Confidence in your role helps you stay calm and teaches your child to identify their strengths. Kids need to know they aren't going to break their parents.

Pro Tip: When stress hits, like during a tantrum, take a deep breath and remind yourself, “I’ve got this.”

In order to build connection with our child, we as parents have to know ourselves and our strengths.

Day 2: Parenting for Emotional Health | Create a Safe Space

What to Do: Build a predictable routine, such as a set bedtime or family meals. Consistency makes kids feel secure.

Teach Your Child: Explain why routines matter. For example, “We eat together to share our day and feel close.”

Why It Works: A safe environment helps kids process emotions without fear. Teaching them the “why” fosters understanding.

Pro Tip: Start small—try a 15-minute evening wind-down with no screens.

A meal together can be so powerful, it's a time to share family, wisdom, values, and culture.

Day 3: Praise Your Child's Effort

What to Do: Compliment your child’s effort, not just the results. Say, “I love how you kept trying on that puzzle!”

Teach Your Child: Encourage them to notice their hard work. Ask, “What felt good about trying that?”

Why It Works: Affirmation boosts self-worth, and teaching kids to value effort builds resilience.

Pro Tip: Catch them in the act of trying something tough and give specific praise.

Children learn about who they are based on what their parents say they are. They are looking to you to help form their identity.

Day 4: Parenting Through Loving Boundaries

What to Do: Pick one clear rule, like “No screens after 7 p.m.” Explain why: “This helps us relax and connect.”

Teach Your Child: Show them how boundaries keep them safe. Say, “Rules help us make good choices.”

Why It Works: Boundaries teach self-discipline. Explaining them helps kids feel respected.

Pro Tip: Be consistent—follow through every time to build trust.

Reading can be a beautiful moment of connection with a child.

Day 5: Stay Calm to Teach Your Child Calm

What to Do: When emotions run high, pause and breathe deeply before responding. Model calmness by saying, “I’m taking a moment to cool down.”

Teach Your Child: Practice a breathing exercise together. Try “in for 4, out for 4” to calm big feelings.

Why It Works: Your calm sets the tone, and teaching emotional regulation gives kids lifelong tools.

Pro Tip: Practice this when everyone’s calm to make it a habit.

Our children's nervous system's co-regulate with ours: practice calm to teach calm.

Day 6: Listen to Your Child Like You Mean It

What to Do: Spend 10 minutes listening to your child without distractions. Make eye contact and repeat back what they say: “Sounds like you’re upset about that game.”

Teach Your Child: Show them how to listen by taking turns sharing. Say, “I listened to you—now it’s your turn.”

Why It Works: Active listening builds trust, and teaching it helps kids form healthy relationships.

Pro Tip: Put your phone away to show they’re your priority.

Get to your child's level, look in their eyes and listen.

Day 7: Start a New Family Legacy of Play

What to Do: Make play a daily habit to spark joy and connection. Try a fun activity like building a blanket fort or having a silly dance party. Let your child’s imagination lead while you join in with enthusiasm.

Teach Your Child: Show them that play is a way to bond and express happiness. For example, say, “Let’s create a fun story about this fort—what happens next?” Offer gentle guidance, like suggesting a character, but let them take the lead.

Why It Works: Play and laughter strengthen emotional health. They foster connection and reduce stress. Teaching kids to embrace play builds creativity and confidence.

Pro Tip: Keep a journal of your favorite play moments to stay inspired. Think simple—try backyard treasure hunts or goofy sing-alongs.

Play builds connection and regulates the nervous system.

Your Next Step: Make It Stick

You did it! Seven days of intentional parenting to boost your child’s emotional health. Pick one strategy to keep using this month and set a small goal. For example: “I’ll practice active listening every evening.”

Imagine the pride of watching your child handle tough emotions with confidence because you taught them how. That’s the legacy you’re building. Keep going—you’re an amazing parent!

Loved this 7-day parenting challenge? Share it with other parents to spread the word! See @Be_WellCollective for more parenting tips and emotional health strategies. Subscribe to our blog and reach out at connect@bewellcollective.com.