…Parent tips for managing child behaviour at home

Raising children is one of the toughest and most fulfilling jobs in the world and the one for which you might feel the least prepared.

Here are some child-rearing tips that can help you feel more fulfilled continued from last week.

3. Set limits and be consistent with your discipline

Discipline is necessary in every household. The goal of discipline is to help children choose acceptable behaviors and learn self-control. They may test the limits established for them, but they need those limits to grow into responsible adults.

Establishing house rules helps kids understand your expectations and develop self-control. Some rules might include: no TV until homework is done, and no hitting, name-calling, or hurtful teasing allowed.

A common mistake parents make is not following through with consequences. You cannot discipline children for talking back one day and ignore it the next. Being consistent teaches what you expect.

4. Make time for your kids

It is often hard for parents and kids to get together for a family meal, let alone spend quality time together. But there is probably nothing children would like more.

Get up 10 minutes earlier in the morning so you can eat breakfast with your child or leave the dishes in the sink and take a walk after dinner children who are not getting the attention they want from their parents often act out or misbehave because they are sure to be noticed that way.

5. Be a good role model

Young children learn a lot about how to act by watching their parents. The younger they are, the more cues they take from you. Before you lash out or blow your top in front of your child, think about this: Is that how you want your child to behave when angry? Be aware that you are constantly being watched by your kids. Studies have shown that children who hit usually have a role model for aggression at home.

Model the traits you wish to see in your children: respect, friendliness, honesty, kindness, tolerance. Exhibit unselfish behaviour. Do things for other people without expecting a reward. Express thanks and offer compliments. Above all, treat your kids the way you expect other people to treat you.

6. Make communication a priority

You cannot expect children to do everything simply because you, as a parent, “say so.” They want and deserve explanations as much as adults do. If we do not take time to explain, children will begin to wonder about our values and motives and whether they have any basis. Parents who reason with their kids allow them to understand and learn in a nonjudgmental way.