Kids will be kids and that means living with the fact that kids will not readily accept reality even if it is best for them at the end of the day. Let's be realistic - children, like adults, weren't born yesterday, and realize early on that they have feelings they have to express! And because of this, a child can tend to think independently, do things the way they insist them to be done, or refuse to listen to what you say.
Here's a scenario: your child is sitting happily playing with building bricks, or maybe playing on a games console, totally engulfed in his or her own world, and it's time for dinner. You ask your child to drop what they're doing there and then, to tidy up quickly, to leave their 'happy place' and come eat. Then your son's like, "why are you asking me to call a time out when my Lakers are up by 30-some points? You're mean!"
Here's a scenario: your child is sitting happily playing with building bricks, or maybe playing on a games console, totally engulfed in his or her own world, and it's time for dinner. You ask your child to drop what they're doing there and then, to tidy up quickly, to leave their 'happy place' and come eat. Then your son's like, "why are you asking me to call a time out when my Lakers are up by 30-some points? You're mean!"
You, on the other hand may think the child is being naughty or obstinate. You pull the plug on the console or take the toys away and it's Mount Vesuvius in the living room! Your child is throwing a full-blown tantrum!
The next time it happened, I was wiser - he was at it again, playing his favorite video games and totally "in the zone", so to say. You give the child fair warning that playtime will be ending soon, in say 5-10 minutes, and that they will then need to put their things away so that they can help you make dinner.
It is always best to encourage your child to help out and give him or her sufficient time to put aside whatever he or she was doing before mealtime. Younger children can simply wipe the table, or you could ask the older ones to boil potatoes for the stew or carve the roast beef and serve it to everyone. This will help them prepare for life as adults where they themselves would have to do the majority of the dirty work.
Wow! You just avoided a MAJOR tantrum! You are making your child fill an important role while you remain stress-free and in the best of moods! Kudos!
You can do this sort of thing with just about any scenario. Children condition themselves into believing that they have a place for fun and games and a place for work and drudgery - yes, they may not play games while helping you out, but you can make it fun! You just have to make sure that your child knows beforehand that something other than what they are doing at the moment will soon be happening.
Let your child
The next time it happened, I was wiser - he was at it again, playing his favorite video games and totally "in the zone", so to say. You give the child fair warning that playtime will be ending soon, in say 5-10 minutes, and that they will then need to put their things away so that they can help you make dinner.
It is always best to encourage your child to help out and give him or her sufficient time to put aside whatever he or she was doing before mealtime. Younger children can simply wipe the table, or you could ask the older ones to boil potatoes for the stew or carve the roast beef and serve it to everyone. This will help them prepare for life as adults where they themselves would have to do the majority of the dirty work.
Wow! You just avoided a MAJOR tantrum! You are making your child fill an important role while you remain stress-free and in the best of moods! Kudos!
You can do this sort of thing with just about any scenario. Children condition themselves into believing that they have a place for fun and games and a place for work and drudgery - yes, they may not play games while helping you out, but you can make it fun! You just have to make sure that your child knows beforehand that something other than what they are doing at the moment will soon be happening.
Let your child
It is always best to encourage your child to help out and give him or her sufficient time to put aside whatever he or she was doing before mealtime. Younger children can simply wipe the table, or you could ask the older ones to boil potatoes for the stew or carve the roast beef and serve it to everyone. This will help them prepare for life as adults where they themselves would have to do the majority of the dirty work.
Wow! You just avoided a MAJOR tantrum! You are making your child fill an important role while you remain stress-free and in the best of moods! Kudos!
You can do this sort of thing with just about any scenario. Children condition themselves into believing that they have a place for fun and games and a place for work and drudgery - yes, they may not play games while helping you out, but you can make it fun! You just have to make sure that your child knows beforehand that something other than what they are doing at the moment will soon be happening.
Let your child get involved and make sure you tell him/her how much you appreciate their help and co-operation. This is the surest way to avoid the stress and chaos that come when your child throws yet another tantrum.
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Wow! You just avoided a MAJOR tantrum! You are making your child fill an important role while you remain stress-free and in the best of moods! Kudos!
You can do this sort of thing with just about any scenario. Children condition themselves into believing that they have a place for fun and games and a place for work and drudgery - yes, they may not play games while helping you out, but you can make it fun! You just have to make sure that your child knows beforehand that something other than what they are doing at the moment will soon be happening.
Let your child get involved and make sure you tell him/her how much you appreciate their help and co-operation. This is the surest way to avoid the stress and chaos that come when your child throws yet another tantrum.
About the Author:
Our litters of English bulldogs for sale are wrinkly with a massive nose rope and overdone. Add one to your family!