I have been told that I am a strict parent, demanding my children to respect adults, inflicting laborious consequences for poor choices, and often taking away privileges for lengthy periods of time.You can imagine my surprise last Tuesday when my 11-year-old son and 9-year-old … [Read more...] about Parenting 101: Creative Discipline
discipline
Three Lessons Learned From a 12-Pack of Iced Tea Cans
“Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.” --Plato “Coach Lisa, I need clarity on how to create a teachable moment … [Read more...] about Three Lessons Learned From a 12-Pack of Iced Tea Cans
Bribery And Rewards: What’s The Difference?
Parents in my Parents Anonymous Group often discussed bribery and rewards but many confused the two. What exactly is the difference and why does it matter? HINT: Bribes are not planned beforehand and parents are pressured in the moment; rewards are usually planned by the … [Read more...] about Bribery And Rewards: What’s The Difference?
Tips to Diffuse Anger
Shopping for a car when you are in a hurry is risky business. Driving 65 mph in a school zone is tempting fate. Pushing firefighters aside to run into a burning building is just plain folly. Then why would anyone discipline a child when upset, angry or in a hurry? “Anger blows … [Read more...] about Tips to Diffuse Anger
PMS and Changing Consequences
Are you a pushover parent? Are you putty in your child’s manipulating hands? Changing your mind is quite different from caving in to wailing pleas from a child. In the beginning of my career as a Parents Anonymous parent I thought once I gave a decision that it was written … [Read more...] about PMS and Changing Consequences
Parenting viewpoints from parents in the trenches, because parenting doesn’t come with a manual. In addition to