Instead of M&M’s, Kids Need More N&Ns – AKA: My Kid Hates When I Say “No”
One day when I took my young son to Burger King, he wanted something he couldn’t have and I said no. It didn’t work out well for either of us. What he wanted was “white pop” (known to older kids as Sprite). I was OK with that. I held the cup to the Sprite label […]
Jude Keeps the Church Offering
Jude (6) confessed to keeping part of his offering out of the offering basket at church. Dad was initially mad. But then he decided to make this a learning opportunity and help his son develop conscience rather than create a pattern where he simply feared his father’s anger. Ask him how he felt when he did […]
Discipline that Makes Cents
Tax Unwanted Behavior At a parent coaching session recently, a single dad talked about a real world solution to his parenting dilemma. He charged a tax to his children when they displayed unwanted behavior and paid them a bonus when they displayed positive behavior. What appeared to be a simple solution proved to be a […]
And Then My Daughter Said.. “You’re Not a Rock Star!”
I started using my new Love and Logic skills of empathy and going brain dead. My 4 year old daughter wasn’t too happy when I set a limit about eating snacks before dinner. She started arguing back and I calmly said “I know.” I could tell she was trying to figure out a way to […]
This Little Song Stops My Toddler in Her Tracks!
Dear Kerry, We used to have 5 tantrums a day with my 2 1/2 year old little girl. After switching from time-outs to the Love and Logic’s “Uh Oh Song” we maybe have one a day. The best part is that now that I can redirect her behavior with just the words “Uh Oh.” It was […]
I’m Running Away!
The other night my 7 year old son kept trying to argue about something. I used my new Love and Logic skill of not engaging and calmly replied “I know.” He ended with “What is wrong with you!!” I replied again, “I know.” He yelled “Ugh!” and ran off. The next morning he comes down […]
When is it Okay to Rescue?
Those who know Love and Logic™ know the damage done by C.H.P.S.“Chronic Helicopter Parent Syndrome.” Parents who chronically rescue their kids from the consequences of their poor decisions create kids who are chronically irresponsible and chronically unhappy. “You are so weak that you can’t survive without me” is the unintentional yet very real message sent […]
Getting Kids to Pick Up – With No Nagging!
A dad I work with just announced to his 3 little boys that he has a new plan for a “Sunday Shelf.” Here’s how it works: • When the kids don’t pick up their stuff as asked, dad picks up for them and puts everything on the “Sunday Shelf.”• On Sunday, he pulls it all […]
Things I Wish I Would Have Known
I recently received an email from a dad who has taken one of my early childhood parenting classes. He asked if I had a list of things that parents of younger children should know “not to get hung up on.” I surveyed a number of my friends with older kids and got so much great […]
Dad and Shopping
Marge’s kids had a history of keeping her upset during shopping trips. They ran all over the store and were frequently lost. They had trained her to keep her eye on them to the expense of her doing her shopping. Contrast that to my own dad, who trained his kids to keep their eyes on […]