Everyone likes to feel that they have a purpose in life. Generally speaking, people want to be helpful, needed, and a contributing member of society (or a family). Sometimes knowing how to go about that is difficult. It can be even more so when you are small and have seemingly little to offer. When this need... Continue Reading →
My in-laws were visiting us one time, long before we had children. We had gone out to eat and as we sat there in the restaurant, they began to lecture. "You can't be your child's friend. You have to be the parent. Parents will always be parents." The irony of what they said as they... Continue Reading →
Misbehavior and punishment are not opposites which cancel one another out. They enforce each other,breeding resentment, hurt feelings, and more of the same. No matter how you look at it, two wrongs don't make a right.
Children's coping mechanisms to deal with parental power: Resistance, defiance, rebellion, and negativity. People will fight back when their freedom is threatened. Resentment, anger, and hostility. People want to be in control of themself. When others hold power over them, they feel resentful. Aggression, retaliation, and striking back. Parental domination via authority leads to frustration.... Continue Reading →
The no-lose method of conflict resolution allows everyone to work together in order to find mutually agreed upon solutions which work for everyone. First, you must set the stage for how the no-lose method will work: Begin by telling your child clearly and concisely that there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Make... Continue Reading →
Discipline is not a technique to be applied to others. Discipline is a life-long journey of self-discipline, discovery, and learning.
If we want our children to be disciplined, we must first focus on ourselves. We cannot help our children to learn self-discipline if we, ourselves, do not have it.
Sometimes children need a little help getting out of a mood or mode. We can't make another person do something, but we can help by proving an optimal environment. Sometimes a simple change to the environment is all it takes for a person's needs to be met. Ways to change a child's environment: Enrich the... Continue Reading →
living peacefully with children 