Prevention Toolbox

Child Development Stages: Is it the Terrible Twos or the Demands of a Spoiled Brat?

“I want more juice!” demands Eric, Ashley’s four-year-old son, from the dinner table. Ashley politely replies, “Please don’t talk to me like that. Say ‘please.’” Then Eric starts to whine, “But Mom, I’m thirsty! I want more juice!” Ashley tries to be patient and says, “Honey, I know, just say ‘please.’” Now Eric’s whining becomes …

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Can Terrible Twos Defiance Be Avoided?

Karen is so annoyed.  Her 2-year old daughter, Tina, is constantly telling her “no!” or becomes defiant and refuses to cooperate with even small requests she typically went along with just last month.  Karen’s friend tells her, “Oh, this is normal for 2-year olds.  She’s just going through that terrible twos defiance stage.”   Even though …

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How Can You Promote Healthy Sports Competition?

“I made more goals during my game than you did in yours,” Bill remarks to his brother, Tom. “Well, I kick the ball better and overall I’m a better soccer player than you,” Tom states defensively. “No way, everyone knows I’m the better soccer player” replies Bill “Who are you fooling?  You know I’m the …

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Rewards & Bribes

“Come on, Johnny! P-L-E-A-S-E!?” … {PAUSE} … {repeat 3-10 times} … “I’ll give you a ______ if you do it!” Many parents reward children’s good behavior or use bribes to entice children to cooperate. Such rewards can easily turn into bribes. Bribes are gifts or payments which manipulate or influence someone to take a particular action. Rewards …

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Why Kids Do What You Tell Them Not to Do? How to Prevent Defiant Children, Power Struggles and Tantrums

 The “Before” Story usually sounds like this: My kids have been doing [you name it]  for years. I constantly tell them “don’t,” “stop” or “quit doing that”. I’ve told them a million times and they still do it! I don’t know if they are defiant children, but I’m tired of the power struggles and handling …

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Why Is Parenting Education Important?

THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATING TODAY’S PARENTS Although most parents would agree that their children are more important than their job, most usually get more on-the-job training than they do as a parent. As a Mother of seven once said, “The love is instinctual but the skills are not.” A NATIONAL MOVEMENT A 1990 study by fifteen of the nation’s largest …

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Is Using Praise to Build Self-Esteem In Children A Good Thing?

First, you open a parenting magazine with an article on why “self-esteem” is important. Then you read a newspaper column that says, “Self-esteem is a crock.” Then you read two articles on the web; one says to praise your children and one says not to. Doesn’t it irk you when so-called experts give you inaccurate …

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Looking for Bedtime Routines To Make Bedtime Peaceful?

 It’s time for your children to get ready for bed. You say, “Time to go brush your teeth.” One whines, “But I don’t want to brush my teeth.” The other says, “I want to keep playing.” Your spouse steps in and says, “You both need to get in the bathroom and start brushing those teeth.” …

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Is Giving An Allowance For Helping With The Household Chore List A Good Way To Teach Children And Teenagers Money Management?

Is Giving An Allowance For Helping With The Household Chore List A Good Way To Teach Children And Teenagers Money Management? You have been giving your children money for doing chores. You have company coming over and need to get the house straightened up quickly. You ask the children to help pick up the living …

Is Giving An Allowance For Helping With The Household Chore List A Good Way To Teach Children And Teenagers Money Management? Read More »