Parenting Your Child Effectively

Sometimes we need something right now to help us calm an emotional discussion with our children. When things are difficult, we are most likely to "lose our cool" and say or do things that we wish later we hadn't. We need something that settles the conflict without either the child or the parent feeling put down. There are a number of guidance principles that help us discipline in stressful times.

Guidance Principle

Work with children instead of against them. When old furniture is refinished, we are told to always rub with the grain of the wood. Perhaps we should also work "with the grain of the child!" Stand back and watch children. Then decide the best way for them to do what they are trying to do. This can sometimes turn a conflict into a pleasant (or at least acceptable) experience.