Monday, February 28, 2011

I want it now!

You may remember that saying from Veruca Salt, in Charlie and the Chocolate factory and some days you may feel like she’s your child. What’s a parent to do? Here are a few tips to help you through these rough parenting waters.

Set Expectations

Children a very predictable. In most cases you know when you are going to the market that your child will ask for a treat in the check out line. So set expectations before you get their. Tell them they are not getting a treat and deal with the fall out at home. They may still act out when your checking out, but they may also simply accept the fact that they are not getting a treat and move on.

Stick to Your Guns

Children are experts at testing boundaries. Unfortunately, the more you give in, the more your child will push the limits of the word no. You can’t always say no but, when you do lay down the gauntlet, don’t give in. Let them know that the word no means no. If your children don’t expect flexibility in the word no, they will accept no for answer more easily.

Don’t Dwell

If your child has a tantrum don’t dwell on it. The more you make of the episode, the more your child get’s the wrong message. The extra attention may reinforce that bad behavior gets noticed.

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