What is it with that song? … You know the one… Clean Up Clean Up Everybody Everywhere… Clean Up Clean Up… Everybody do your share… That song haunts me sometimes when I least expect it. Yes, my kids (especially my older kids) loved that Purple Dinosaur and his songs stuck with them and much to […]
Why is it that smallest parts of our day lead to the BIGGEST MELTDOWNS? Moving from bed to getting dressed Moving from breakfast to packing up back packs Moving from car to preschool drop off Moving from tv off to homework time Moving from playtime in the backyard to dinner…. Where is your BIGGEST MELTDOWN? It is very likely […]
You probably have certain phrases that roll off your tongue on a daily basis. In fact, your children could probably tell us what you are going to say even before it comes out of your mouth. Think about your key phrases and post them around your house. They will give you a visual reminder of your […]
If you read my Mealtimes Matter passage from my August Newsletter, then you know how important I think it is for families to gather around a table whether it be for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Call it my soapbox, but I have a few more ideas on how we solidify our families. These essential things […]
Although dinner time at our house may not always run smoothly, it serves as the number one factor that ensures our family’s success. Studies show that children who sit down with their family regularly ( for breakfast, lunch, or dinner) are more likely to do well in school, attain their goals, and succeed socially. This is because the family […]
We expect our kids to be big kids yet we end up doing everything for them. By letting your kids have more chances to do things for themselves and do these things with success we can hand over more power and control to them which is all they really want. Simple things like carrying their own dish to […]
After each workshop, I ask the parents to write down the one tip they are going to go home and try to implement. Here is a list of the Top 10 tips chosen by parents this year: 10. Role play or use puppets to act out positive behaviors with your child. 9. Design a list […]
Patterns… Where does the behavior show up? When is the behavior absent? Who handles the behavior best? What triggers the behavior? How does your parenting response affect the behavior? Why is the behavior worse in certain environments? …. Follow the patterns to find the best methods for dealing with your child’s behavior.
How do we help a child own up to their behavior choices and begin to make a change? The following methods encourage a child to be in charge of their good choice making… Tell them the expectations upfront so they know what they are working towards. Give them a chance to rewind when they’ve made […]
Children as young as three can think things through using the statements… “If … Then…” This is called the age of reason where they can judge what might happen next if they choose certain behaviors. This means at this early age, we can already guide our children to take on the job of regulating […]
