Question: I am a stay at home mom of two children. I have a 18-month-old son and a 3-year-old daughter who are very stubborn and throw tantrums when they don’t get their way. One thing that really upsets me is that my son scratches and bites other children. My friend visited us with her 1 […]
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Disrespectful Teen
Question: We are at our wits end trying to discipline our 13-yr. old son. He is VERY disrespectful…(the more I do for him – the more he disrespects us). We thought we were disciplining him the “right way” – but no – its not working. He has gone weeks w/o the things he enjoys the […]
Boredom
child_computer.jpg Question: My child complains about being bored and expects me to drop everything to entertain him. What do you suggest? Answer: From the Book Positive Discipline A-Z Understanding Your Child, Yourself, and the Situation We live in a society where children are used to being entertained. Television and electronic games are major contributors to […]
Help! My Child is Stealing!
Question: child-stealing.jpg First, let me say that your book Positive Discipline has been immensely helpful. I read it when my son was five (he’s ten now) and I buy a copy for all the new parents I know ( along with the “Read-Aloud Handbook” by Jim Trelease). So thank for writing the book! My son […]
Temper Tantrums Have Returned in My 4-year-old
Question: My daughter is 4 1/2. This past week or two her behavior has not been very good. She has starting having MAJOR temper tantrums. For example, we will go to get dressed and I will say it is cold today, pick out what pants you want to wear, and she will say NO I […]
Disrespectful Behavior
When a child is disrespectful to teachers or classmates, the first source to consider is the behavior of the adults in this child’s life. Children who aren’t treated with respect have no model for respectful behavior. Joe’s parents call each other names, belittle Joe, and sneer when he objects to anything. When Joe behaves similarly […]
Lying
Question: “I don’t know how to get my child to stop lying. We have tried very hard to teach high moral standards. The more I punish him, the more he lies. I’m really worried.” Answer: (An excerpt from the book Positive Discipline A-Z) Understanding Yourself, the Situation, and Why Children Lie We have searched and […]
When Parents Lose It
stressedmom.jpg Have you ever “lost it” with you kids? My guess is that most people will answer, “Yes,” to this question. The next question is, “Then what did you do?”. Did you feel guilty and beat up on yourself. Or did you rejoice because you just provided your children with a model of learning from […]
How Do You Motivate a Teen?
winning-cooperation.jpg There are many reasons why teens lack motivation to do what parents want them to do. (You’ll notice they don’t lack motivation to do what they want to do — talk on the phone, skateboard, shop, party, etc.) For now, I’ll mention just a few: Parents nag and invite resistance. Teens feel “conditionally loved” […]
Routines
routines-parents-web-small.jpg Routines (Breakdown after “Take Time for Training“) Many of the Positive Discipline Tool Cards go well together. Following is the continuation of Katies story that started with success in following the Take Time for Training tool card. After so much success Sunday implementing a “cleaning day workshop” as part of the Take Time […]