Parenting Tips

· Make eye contact before setting a limit.  Say, “look at me.”
· Make one request at a time and be specific.
· Give instructions that tell your child what to “do” rather than “don’t.”
· Give warnings about transitions or changes.


                            · Reward good behavior at least as often as you punish bad behavior.
                            · Always try to find a way to change a behavior through a reward.
                            · Have your child tell you what rewards motivate them.
                            · Use rewards that aren’t monetary or food.
                            · Try visual tools like star charts.


                                                                        · Give choices rather than ultimatums.
                                                                        · Be consistent and be able to follow through with any threat or promise you make.
                                                                        · Look to use naturally occurring consequences as learning tools.
                                                                        · Remain calm—take a time out yourself if you need to.



    And finally, some ideas for common problems:

                · Have special books and toys that your child can use only when you are on the phone (rather than bugging you).

                · To reduce sibling fights, have them work on not fighting to gain a shared reward.