Do you have a young child that is competitive? One who doesn't like to lose at games; who brags about being the winner? Is this normal behavior for a young child say, 5-year-old?
Most children begin to become aware of competing with others somewhere around 5 to 6 years of age.
Not only is your 5 year old exploring her self awareness in relation to others, she is also operating from...
Don't you feel that you could spend the entire day cleaning up after your family? "By 5 pm the house is a mess, the kids are tired, and I need to get dinner going! How can I get them to pick up their toys?" Sound familiar?
First things first. As with any new plan or change tell your family what you have in mind and how it will look.
Limit the amount of toys and books your kids have out...
Of course the first step to getting more cooperation is to get out a mirror and examine your own behavior and belief system. Take a good, hard look at how cooperative YOU are with your spouse, children, and others.
Chances are that if you have been irritated when someone asks for your help, or whiney when the house is left a mess, or nag when the chores need to be done, then that is exactly...
I always get such a kick out of the way Jane Nelson puts this: Get rid of the crazy idea that in order to make children do better, first you have to make them feel worse. Do you feel like doing better when you feel humiliated? Her choice of words seems to really resonate with folks.
Jane challenges us to take a new look at "time out". Instead, think of it as "feel better time" or "cooling...
How old should children be for family meetings?
Never underestimate your child's ability to participate and benefit from a family meeting. I have done them with success with children 15 months old and would not hesitate to include an infant. The thing to remember is that you are creating a format so that you can come up with solutions as a family. This makes the family unit the authority...
Take time for training. Children often don't know what is expected of them. Time constraints often lead to a lack of training. When children don't know what is expected of them or how to accomplish a task, problems will arise.
In Positive Discipline, Jane Nelson reminds us to take time for training and planning to avoid power struggles, frustration, hassles and misunderstandings.
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Misbehaving children are discouraged children who have mistaken ideas on how to achieve their Primary Goal: TO BELONG. Mistaken ideas lead to misbehavior. Address the mistaken belief rather than just the misbehavior.
Everybody wants to be heard and feel special!
In Positive Discipline, Jane Nelson helps us understand that misbehaving children are discouraged children who have mistaken...
I can't even begin to tell you how many approaches to temper tantrums I've tried in the last 35 years.
Some of them are down right embarrassing, so I'm hoping to help you avoid some of the many mistakes I've made. Here are my latest thoughts.
Between 2 and 4 years children NEED to separate from you, any adult, in order to form their own individuality. It is a matter of their survival.
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The most effective way to get someone to do something, especially children, it to model the desired behavior. Nobody likes to be lectured to or be constantly told what to do. Lecturing will quickly send children in the opposite direction.
Model healthy interactions with your spouse and other adults. Always speak lovingly and respectfully.
Save shouting for safety only.
To teach your...
Ever hear, "Let me do it by myself!" Well it's time to listen up!
Your child is following an inner blue print to become independent and you can either help or hinder.
P.S. If you decide to hinder your child will be dependent ON YOU!!!!
It's time to set up your kitchen to help your children AND YOURSELF gain independence. The worst power struggles are around what goes into and comes...
