What do say!!!

After being in a lock down situation for over 36 hours why they look for a killer at large.   Finding his car less than 3 miles from our house, the question is what do we tell our children on what is going on?   Our approach,  honesty in the the rigtht tone of voice seems to be the best approach.  Are you being honest with your child as times get tough.   Remember, you may have the first 18 to 25 years, however are you preparing your child for life in the long haul or just for the now???  
Remember sometimes, Think long term not the immediate now.

For more on what to do when creating routine purcahase my book on three step parenting.  Purchase at toddaugust.com.  

Ps.  Enjoy your weekend more with your children when they are behaving.

Tips from Todd

I recently introduced a 6 six old boy into a residential program.  After getting to know him for three days, it was apparent that he had very little structure or routine in his life.  It also appeared that every time he was asked to perform a task that he was not interested in he would scream and shout at the top of his lungs.  This is the advice that I gave the adults in lives and within a day their was improvement.  Within two days the struggles had gone from 20-30 minutes to less than 2.  By the third day he had gone from about 6 or 7 protest a day down to 1 or 2.   The results have been great.  Please use any or all of these tips to help you raise great, independent children.

Strategies to keep in mind when interacting with difficult behavior:

1.     Remember that he is six and you are the adult.  Despite his yelling no!!  He needs to know that you are in charge and in control.

2.     I like to greet him with a smile and high five or fist bump each and every time I see him.  I find this helps in establishing trust

3.     Always stick with giving him two choices and then waiting for him to make a decision.  If he tries to derail from the two choices, refocus him and remind him of the choices until he makes a decision.  When he makes a decision praise him and quickly move on.  Don’t over exaggerate the praise.

4.     Less is best.  Once you give him choices don’t try to rationalize with him or engage in at length dialogue.  This will only confuse him and reinforce negative behavior.

5.     Routine is key.  Even with prompting you may still need to show him the way.

 

6.     Use TCI for yourself and Yohannes.  Especially the Behavior Support Techniques.  Which includes from least invasive to most invasive.

a.     Managing the environment, prompting, caring gesture, hurdle help, redirection and distractions, proximity, directive statements and time away.

7.     If you find yourself overly frustrated walk away.

 

PS:   Please share with all your friends.   As parents, we can always use reminders.

Todd