Tips for BETTER Behavior

1. Spend 1:1 quality time with your child and give them your undivided attention. This means, put your phone away. Period! And, then engage with them. Interact. Talk, Play!

2. Get to the “real” problem. Your child is misbehaving for a REASON. Find that reason and address it. Oftentimes it not that they are choosing to “be bad”.It could be that they are tired, getting sick, had a bad day at school, or feel disconnected and need time with you.

3. Stick to a routine or schedule as closely as possible and communicate with them if it’s going to change.

4. Be consistent with discipline. Give them clear parameters and clear consequences that are the same every time. Can you imagine if you were at work doing your job and suddenly were reprimanded for the same actions your boss has seen you complete 50 times before just because he was in a “grumpy mood”.

5. Be proactive. If you know you have an important phone call in 30 minutes, spend some time playing with them or engaging in their favorite activity. A few minutes before your call, get them settled with a preferred activity like a Disney movie and snack.)

6. Don’t take their behavior personal. It’s not about you. Behavior is a communication tool not them trying to punish you to make you miserable.

7. Don’t argue with a child (You are the parent)

8. Be prepared…for everything!

9. Don’t punish, discipline (every situation has a learning opportunity involved)

10. Be respectful and kind (your child will model what you do and say)

11. Give choices when possible and hold them to their choice. This allows ownership and helping them understanding that their choices and behaviors have consequences, both good and bad.

12. Show love and affection~Give verbal praise~Celebrate your child~Let them overhear you talk positively about them to others.

Your child may not remember everything you ever told them to do or not do, but they will ALWAYS remember how you made them feel, about themselves, and the world around them!