Sometimes we need a reminder that we are the boss! If we are afraid to discipline and say no, then we do a disservice to our children. The most important thing we can give them, besides our unconditional love, is consistency and follow-through. They need to know we can provide the structure their chaotic, undisciplined little minds need. When we set the limits and enforce them, they learn to think of others, respect authority, and are nicer, easier people to be around. We want to create adults that are polite, pleasant, responsible, and well-liked. It begins now, when they are young.
When you say no, stick to it.
If you threaten to take away a privilege or toy if "that" happens again, then do it.
Ignore screaming or yelling "I hate you" or whatever else they do when in their room in time out. They need to vent and they are trying to get your attention.
Don't threaten something you can't follow through on- like Santa not coming or cancelling their birthday party- we all know we can't do those things, they do too.
We teach them to ignore us- if you tell them to do something, how many times do you tell them? If they know it will take us 10 times before we blow, then they will wait until the 10th time.
3 strikes, you're out- a good number of reminders before a consequence happens.
Keep the consequence logical and related to the behavior- if they are fighting over a toy, remove the toy; if they won't clean up, then they lose TV time because there isn't any time left; if they are yelling at dinner, then they need to leave the table.
Catch them being good too- positives can work wonders, especially with those negative attention-getters!
Teach them manners- sitting quietly while you talk to someone, keeping their hands to themselves, not touching others' property, not running up and down the halls of office buildings. respecting limits and boundaries of others.
Remember- computers, TV, cell phones, video games, handheld games are all privileges! All we HAVE to provide them is a house, food, clothes..they don't need the rest so it can be earned.
Family Learning Solutions, LLC