Positive Parenting Techniques

·        Your child may not be big enough and strong enough to go shopping with you at this time.  If not, do some practice drills by having the child go into a store with you without asking for anything. The child has to do this successfully four times before you attempt to take him into the store again.

·        If your child frequently whines or complains, is she sleepy or hungry?  Usually, when a nap or snack is offered, the child’s behavior will improve.

·        If you child frequently complains when you ask him to do something, tell him ahead of time, you’re going to be asking him to do something and you know he won’t like it so you want him to make sure he complains really loudly when you ask.  Ask him to do something and if he complains loudly, congratulate him on listening and following directions.  This is known as prescribing the behavior.  Generally, when parents prescribe the behavior, the child won’t do it; it lacks the same effect.

·        If you ask your child to do a chore and she complains, you calmly say, “That’s okay, honey.  Yu can pay me to do it for you.  I’ll just take it out of your allowance.”

·        If your child complains about doing something, wait until she wants to do something and then say, “I’ll be happy to do that for you as soon as you do what I asked you to do.”  Say no more and walk away.