Dr. Rocky's Health Corner
Parents, we are continuing our series in setting boundaries. Teachers continue to struggle with classroom behaviors. It's not that they are losing control of their classrooms. It's that they're trying to enforce boundaries in a society that has become afraid to set them. A teacher, or school, can't be the only place in a child's life where they hear "no".
12 Everyday Habits to Raise a Child Who Respects a "No"
Teaching your children the following helps them set boundaries and be responsible.
1. Teach your child to wait.
It's a skill and it only grows stronger when they practice waiting. Not answering every demand right away teaches children that other people have needs too.
2. Let your child go somewhere or have a hard day, without buying them a treat.
Soon the treat feels owed, and a trip without one feels unfair. Stuff can't fix a feeling, and then children start expecting the stuff.
3. Teach your child to do the things they are capable of doing.
Let them carry their backpack, put their dishes in the sink, get dressed by themselves.
4. Let natural consequences happen.
Don't rescue them at every turn, every forgotten item. Driving their homework folder to school teaches them that forgetting costs nothing.
5. Let your child be bored or have their feelings.
Kids who are never bored never learn to fill their own time and problem solve. Changing plans for every mood, lets children know they run the house, and they will learn that quickly. A reward that ends crying works like a lottery ticket. Children will cry louder and longer because this might be the time it pays.
6. Give your child jobs around the house.
Setting the table, emptying the dishwasher, walking the dog teaches a child that your house runs on everyone.
7. Give guidance to children to solve their own battles.
Using prompting questions teaches more than stepping in and solving.
8. Praise children using specific language.
Name what they did: "You put away your shoes". Big praise for small things or using "amazing" for everything makes children chase applause.
Remember, starting these approaches are hard. Be patient. The first week of change is the hardest and change bringing louder protest before it gets easier. You've got this!
Prior Dr. Rocky Topics (click on title)
How to Help Kids Talk About Learning Differences
Setting Boundaries at Home and Preventing Anxiety (not an endorsement or a recommendation to purchase the book)
