There are many ways to spoil a child & only one way not to...
1. KEEP THE
LOVE CONNECTION ALWAYS!
Redirection is easy if you're
really playing with them...
kids switch gears all the time
& want to play something else.
So to take the attention from
the thing that could be hurt...
or to modivate them to do something
you'd like...
say it like a kid, speak their
language...
"Hey, I have an idea... "
or
"Hey, are you hungry... "
only if it really has been
a while & you are honestly hungry
& if they say no, they
try something else.
Discover something...
there are so many interesting
things everywhere
Hey, wow, check this out..."
Kids love to play with us,
so use it as a tool
2. NEGOTIATE
EVERYTHING FAIRLY
Remember how helpless you felt
as a child, don't do that to them.
If you are fair, they will
be fair back...
cooperation is a two way street.
Fair negotiating will be with
them as a skill for the rest of their lives 7
allow them to get into &
keep healthy relationships.
(Co-dependancy happens when
no fair negotiationg is possible
for what ever reason... addictions,
neglect, abuse... etc.)
3. WHILE LISTENING
TO THEM & THEIR NEEDS
(take time outs if things get
heated to re-center & breath...
the third thing we teach them
is how to calm down & get centered again)
4. EXPLAIN
YOUR JOINT DECISION
(Brady Bunch Ethics: provide
a united front of both parents,
together deciding what's
best concerned)
5. KEEP OPEN TO RE-NEGOTIATING, IF NEED BE
If a child is acting badly, note that they are not their behavior & tell them so.
"You are so smart & wise & kind, why would you do something like this?"
Misbehavior
is a cry for help... needs are not being met somewhere.
Is it you, your partner, siblings,
&/or peers?
So first, start with examining
yourself as the parent,
then to what may be happening
to them,
that could make them act this
way.
REMEMBER: No
shame or blame ever taught anyone good behavior...
only more reason to act out
bad behavior.
For more information
on this check out:
Discipline with out
Shouting or Spanking by Jerry Wyckoff Ph.D and Barbara C. Unell
Without
Spanking or Spoiling: A Practical Approach to Toddler & Pre School Guidance
by Elizabeth Crary