Consistency: The Key to Eliminating Child Behavior Problems
Dr. Noel Swanson.
If there is one thing that most parents have issues with regarding child discipline, it is being consistent. It is one of the more difficult child discipline aspects of parenting. If you, as a parent, can get over the initial hurdles to being consistent, there are a number of benefits waiting for you.
You will need an unshakable determination to deal with children; children can be exasperating at times. They will test your will power. Older children will be defiant and younger ones will just not remember the rules. Your task is to go on repeating the same rules over and over again until they are well established. During the course of this drill, you may encounter sudden bursts that will catch you unawares and off guard. You need to be conscious of such moments and have a back-up strategy to deal with the unanticipated situation. Basically, you should be able to pre-empt your child's moves and have a solution.
The one thing that will help you achieve this is to be consistent in your actions, reactions and speech. If you are consistent, your child knows you mean business and will listen to you. It's best to start and maintain consistency from the beginning. The younger they are the better they will learn. Here are some magic words that might help you get started on the road to providing consistency.
1. Parents need to come to a consensus on acceptable behavior. You should sit down and communicate and plan a course of action for establishing child discipline. Take a look at areas where consistency is lacking and develop a plan for establishing consistency.
2. Don't quit half way. The worse thing you can do as a parent when attempting to establish consistency in child discipline is to stop half way. You will have to start over from the beginning just like with any habit-breaking tactic.
3. Flexibility: There are no hard and fast rules of parenting. Parents learn as they go along all the time. So, don't be afraid to change and adapt as the situation demands. Life can't be lived by the book. Make changes in the action plan if you think it is not working.
4. Back each other up or have a support system. It is a good idea to have a support system. This can be a close friend, family member or professional who can provide objective parenting tips and view point.
5. Ask for parenting help, if you need it. No one knows everything about parenting. There isn't a manual or how to guide. If you get stuck, ask around or do research.
Being consistent with child discipline isn't easy, but who says life is easy or parenting is easy! However, if you internalize these few catchwords, you will achieve success that will outweigh your initial disappointments.
http://www.good-child-guide.com/child-behavior-problems-2) Behavior Problems can be solved! To find out how, visit author Dr. Swanson's http://www.good-child-guide.com/ Behavior Problems website and check out his acclaimed manual, The GOOD CHILD Guide.
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