If your child gives you a hard time when you tell her it s time to brush her teeth, hand your child the toothbrush without saying another word. The rule is no eating in the den. Or As soon as you clean up your toys, we will read a book. Catching your child doing something well increases your child s self-esteem while encouraging him to behave better. Try not to dwell on what they are doing wrong but instead notice the positive things.
Children learn best by watching others.
If we want our children to say please and thank you then we should use these phrases with them. This also applies to knocking on your child s door, straightening up after yourself, controlling outbursts of anger and watching television. Sometimes a time out is necessary before a reasonable discussion can occur. What we say in the heat of the moment can be very destructive and difficult to repair. Count to ten, go to your room, take a walk or remove yourself emotionally or physically from the situation.