• teach the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behavior
• explain the consequences - pleasant for good behavior and unpleasant for crossing the boundary
• tell them that the choice is theirs
• teaches them to take responsibility for their own actions
• reward “right choices” with descriptive praise
• use a "star chart” or the equivalent for persistent issues
• have negative consequences for "wrong choices.”
Question: What can help you reinforce “right choices”? What consequences can you put in place for “wrong choices”?
some people react like a rhino – when angry, they go on the attack and express their feelings aggressively
some people react like a hedgehog – when angry, they protect themselves and bury their feelings
learning to control our anger
1. Recognize the root of our anger
HALT – ask: Am I Hungry, Anxious, Lonely or Tired?
displaced anger: buried anger caused by someone in the past can come out in the present against someone else
deal with unresolved hurt from the past through forgiveness
2. Take time out to calm down
press the pause button
avoid jumping to conclusions
3. Label the action not the child’s character
avoid phrases like “You’re so careless” or “You’re so unkind”
children can believe labels
labeling the action helps them to change, e.g.; That was a careless thing to do” or “That was an unkind remark to make”
4. Use “I” statements to express own feelings
helps us to avoid labeling other people
easier for them to respond constructively
and make changes in their behavior
Do you tend to react more like a rhino or a hedgehog? What helps you express your anger effectively? How do your children tend to react? What helps them?
