Positive parenting is all it takes to bring out the best in your little person. Take time to listen to, understand and praise your  child and give them credit for all of their efforts . Positive energy!
We mean well, but it is too easy to criticise children, pointing out where they are going wrong and not rewarding their successes.  This is negative attention for unacceptable behaviour but it only seems to inspire them to do these things more! Try praising the good stuff that they do and see how much better their behaviour gets!
Negative attention, focusing only on the things that your child gets wrong,  undermines your relationship with them and can damage their self esteem and confidence terribly.  Turning this on it’s head and making the focus of your attention the positive things that your child does will make them feel safe and secure and will build their self esteem.
Positive parenting is even more vital when your child hits the teenage years.  It is during these sensitive years that your child will have to learn to make decisions for themselves and become more independent in preparation for adulthood. Inevitably, many of these decisions will not match the choices that you might make for them.  The secret is to know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold! There are some arguments that you will have to stand firm on and others that you can let go.  If you are supportive and positive about the choices your child is making then they are far more likely to listen to your advice than if you are constantly running them down or arguing with them.
Use this positive attitude in your other relationships and present yourself as a good role model.  If your child sees this in practice first hand then they will emulate it and grow up to be the strong, confident, individual that you want them to be, even if they do have a pierced face and green hair!