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Every New Year many adults make New Years Resolutions.
However, before the month is over many of the best laid
plans have fallen by the side of the road. This also happens
with your child. Children want to please their parents. They
try very hard to follow the rules, but, there are those
times when it is just too difficult for them to stick to the
rules. When this happens, parents become frustrated and
angered by their child's behavior. The child is also upset
with himself to think that he/she has disappointed their
parents. During those times when your child tests the
limits, it is important to let the child know, you are angry
with the behavior the child exhibited and NOT the child.
Young children tend to confuse the words "love and like",
consequently when a parent makes statements that seem to
attack the child, he/she feels that the parent does not love
them, when they have made a mistake. It is very important
that the parent clearly identify the child's behavior and
not attack the child as an individual. You love your child,
you don't like his behavior, when he hits his sister, etc..
During these long, dreary, winter months, everyone begins to
find themselves feeling "cranky", short-tempered, and
restless. When the children fighting with each other is
wearing you down, take time to something special with them.
It will lift everyone's spirits and is an excellent way to
keep the communication open.
Helpful Tips For Parents:
. Plan a picnic in the living room - spread a blanket on
the floor, make at picnic lunch with your favorite
summertime treats, dress in your summer clothes, and talk
about all the fun activities you like to do in the
summer.
.Make Friday night "Family Night" pick out a kids video,
make popcorn, then cuddle up on the couch all together and
share watching the movie with your children.
. Take advantage of those snowy days to help your child
build a snow man, make a snow fort, go sledding, make snow
angels, have a snowball fight, or just take a walk outside
and talk while it is snowing.
. Play a game with your child - cards, board games like
Pictionary, Cranium, Monopoly, or play Charades, twenty
questions.
. Playing guessing games, practicing remembering their
math facts, looking for words they can read on signs that
begin with letters of the alphabet, spelling words, or math
games while riding in the car makes a long ride seem shorter
and be fun at the same time.
. When at a restaurant, while waiting for your order to
be taken or dinner to be served, use the paper placemates to
draw animals, have each person take a turn asking a "yes or
no" question to find out which animal it is.
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