• pause for thought
• stop to think about whether your child is: HALT
o H - Hungry
o A - Anxious
o L - Lonely
o T - Tired
• Or, are you?
Recognize natural childishness
• Recognize the difference between natural childishness and disobedience
• This halves the battles we have to fight
• Adjust your expectations according to their level of maturity
Maintain a Sense of Humour
• find ways to lighten the atmosphere
• laugh together and with other parents
use distraction, distract your child from the issue causing conflict
develop your own tarntlu rules to avoid regular arguments
5. Give choices
being given choices is an important part of a child’s learning to take responsibility
give choices over issues that are unimportant,
Which of your toys do you want to take?” and “Do you want to play on the beach or go swimming?”
giving choices helps to defuse conflict
6. Stay in control
avoid being dragged into shouting matches our emotional reactions can give children a sense of power over us – like allowing them to press a “big red button” on our chests to see us react. getting angry, chasing them, getting upset
find a way to give realistic warnings
don’t be manipulated by your child(ren)’s shouting, whining, or tantrums
How can you stay in control of yourself when faced with bad behaviour?
