and try one of these simple time-out tips. You'll feel better and so will your child.
1. Take a deep breath, then another. Remember you are the adult.
2. Close your eyes and imagine you're hearing what your child is about to hear.
3. Press your lips together and count to 10 . . . or better yet, to 20.
4. Put yourself in a time-out chair. (Remember the
rule: one minute for each year
of age.) Think about why you are angry.
Is it your child, or is your child simply a
convenient target for your anger?
5. Phone a friend.
6. If someone can watch your child, go outside and take a walk.
7. Take a hot bath or splash cold water on your face.
8. Hug a pillow.
9. Turn on some music.
Discipline vs. Punishment
It is a parent's job to teach their children the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. To do this, parents discipline their children. Many parents think that discipline and punishment are the same thing. However, they are really quite different. Discipline is a whole system of teaching based on praise, encouragement, and instruction. Punishment is an unpleasant negative consequence for doing or not doing something. Punishment should only be a small part of discipline.
When you feel that your child is not listening to you, or not doing what you want them to do, try some of these techniques. These techniques encourage your child to cooperate as well as teaching them how to behave in the future.
Natural consequences - when a child sees the natural consequences of his or her actions, he or she experiences the direct results of the choice.
Logical consequences - Although natural consequences work best, sometimes they aren't appropriate. When you use this method, it is important that you mean what you say and that you are prepared to follow through immediately.
Withholding privileges - Sometimes you might not be able to think of a logical consequence and a natural consequence isn't appropriate. If that is the case, you might want to consider withholding privileges. A few things to remember when using this technique is that you should never take away something your child truly needs, such as a meal. Be sure to choose something that your child really likes and be sure that you can follow through on your promise.
Time-Out - Time-out should be used only when other methods do not work. Time-out can be used with a child as young as 1 year old.
Some days you might feel that it seems impossible to get your child to behave. However, there are some things to keep in mind that might ease frustration and help you to avoid unnecessary conflict:
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