Parents often use the fact that they're right to justify poor parenting responses toward their children. In fact, most people who unleash their anger at others believe that they're right, and often they are. Kids fall into the same problematic thinking. One nine-year-old boy said...
Competition between siblings is often demonstrated by the statement, "That's not fair" or "What about him?" Competition comes from comparison and often creates distance in relationships between brothers and sisters as they try to put each other down in order to be first or best....
All children have good character qualities that, when taken to the extreme, have a negative side. One child may be quite organized, but if not careful, may become inflexible in a less structured situation. It's like the saying, "your strength can be your greatest weakness."...
There are things you can do on good days that you can't do on bad days. Good days are those days when a child is trying to overcome the weakness you've been working on. He's tried to respond better to instruction or is controlling his...
Grandparents meet a special need in the life of their grandchildren. In fact studies show that kids believe that grandparents are very important and value their relationships with them. Furthermore, most grandparents find their role very rewarding....
When you feel overwhelmed by the poor behavior of your children, here's an exercise that will give you some direction. In fact, this activity is good for any parent looking for ways to help children grow, but it's especially helpful when you're confused and overwhelmed...
Correcting children can be exasperating. Part of the problem happens when children respond poorly. They don't appreciate your suggestions or advice. Instead they become defensive, offer excuses, blame others, or even blame themselves. This resistance causes children to miss the benefits of correction. Of course,...
Discipline, however, must take place in the context of relationship. When the pressure must increase for a time in family life, be sure to also increase times of fun, affirmation, and closeness. The two must go together....
Every parent has an action point. An action point is the point when you stop talking and start acting or the point when children know you mean business. How do they know? You give them cues and your children know what those cues are....
Every once in a while, after hearing us teach a parenting seminar, a distressed parent will come up and say, "I never knew this information before. Is it too late? I think I've ruined my kids." One parent recently asked that question and I (Scott)...