Pain or Pleasure – Now and Later

 Communication, Discipline, Fitness, learning, Parenting  No Responses »
Nov 282011
 

Where did I go wrong?  What could I have done different?  Why does he/she act that way toward me? These are all questions I have heard other parents say while in distress about their child’s behavior.  Since my children are still very young, I have not uttered these words myself and hope I never do.  If I play my cards right I will do a good job of observing the successes and failures of others and implement them in such a fashion as to eliminate the need to ever utter those words. Hindsight is 20/20 No statement has ever been [. . .]

Talk Now or Argue Later

 Communication, Discipline, Parenting  No Responses »
Nov 012011
 

Everyone loves a good argument, especially when it involves how to discipline your child, right?  I didn’t think so. Take the time to understand each others stance on how punishments need to be handed out.  You don’t need to lay out exact punishments for specific situations, but you should have a general idea what degree of discipline to apply to the crime. Let’s just agree to disagree, not a good idea You can’t just drop a disagreement on how to handle discipline and doling out needed punishments.  If you do this chances are that you will be under greater stress [. . .]

Listen to what your child is saying, not what you think they are saying.

 Communication, Discipline, Parenting  No Responses »
Oct 252011
 
Listen to what your child is saying, not what you think they are saying.

Yesterday, my daughter told me she got a yellow card at school.  I didn’t understand so I asked if she meant she had to put a yellow mark on her calendar.  She said no and mentioned the card again. Before I knew it I was in a full blown argument with a 6 year old about something that neither of us could get the other to understand. The Simple Solution Don’t argue.  This teaches them to argue.  Just tell them that we should wait till later to solve the misunderstanding and immediately move on to a different topic.  In my [. . .]

I Love it When My Kids Take Advantage of Me

 Communication, Discipline, Parenting  No Responses »
Sep 262011
 

This post will be about how to follow through with your kids when you lay down the law. 1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . DOES NOT WORK Talk softer before you get louder and try to not get to the point of yelling.  Louder can be OK, but yelling is not (at least it isn’t in my book). Do not announce a punishment if you are not willing to follow through, even if it inconveniences you. As the child gets older take the time to explain to them that they are in trouble because [. . .]

Being a Parent vs. a Friend

 Communication, Discipline, Parenting  No Responses »
Sep 032011
 

Why not both?  Can it be done?  Is it worth the effort? Child: Dad, check this out. Dad: That is so cool. Child: Have you aver seen such a thing?  It is awesome. Dad: Not since I was your age.  It is awesome. Child: Come on, let’s climb it. Dad: I don’t think so. Child: What, are you chicken? Dad: No, I’m your father and I can see that it is not safe.  If you fell I would not be able to catch you. Child: Come on, nothing bad will happen. Dad: I know, ’cause we are not going to [. . .]

Establishing Boundaries

 Communication, Discipline, Parenting  No Responses »
Aug 242011
 

I’m gonna get straight to the point on this one.  Family and friends need to know where the line is when it comes to how they can treat your child. Of course, use tact when setting these limits, but set them just the same.  Let me give you an example: When my daughter was old enough to start hanging out with my in-laws I set easy to follow guidelines for them.  I told them it was there job to spoil their granddaughter any way they see fit, as long as they do not undermine mine or my wife’s authority.  That’s [. . .]

Yelling at your kids works!

 Communication, Discipline, learning, Parenting  No Responses »
Aug 162011
 

Yes, if you yell at your child, it will work at getting their attention.  Just not in the way you want it. Learning by observation All children learn first by observation.  Monkey see, monkey do.  If you yell at your child when he or she misbehaves then you will eventually get it back from them.  But what if the only way my kid will respond is when I yell?  They don’t pay attention until I raise my voice. Truth is, they do listen before your raise your voice.  They know that they don’t have to respond until you do raise [. . .]

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