Category: Family Life

As a parent, one of your jobs is to teach your child to behave. While this can take time, try not to get frustrated when your child does not behave. Instead, learn effective ways to discipline your child.

When your child does not listen, the American Academy of Pediatrics says to try these techniques:

*Natural consequences.It’s hard (for you), but let your child see what will happen if she does not behave (as long as it does not place her in danger). For example, if she throws and breaks her toy, she will not be able to play with it. It won’t be long before she learns to play carefully with her toys.

*Logical consequences.These are the times when you will need to step in and create a consequence. For example, tell your child that if he does not pick up his toys, you will put them away for the rest of the day. Mean what you say. Be prepared to follow through right away. Be firm and respond calmly.

*Withholding privileges.Tell your child that if she does not cooperate, she will have to give something up she likes. But never take away something your child needs, such as a meal. Choose something your child values that is related to the misbehavior. And take the item or privilege away right away if the child is younger than 6 or 7.

*Timeout.Works well when a specific rule has been broken. Is best for children 2 to 5 years old, but can be used throughout childhood. Set the rules ahead of time. Choose a timeout spot (a boring place such as a chair but not a bathroom or bedroom). Do not discuss or negotiate. Set a time limit (1 minute for every year of age).

An allowance can help children learn about responsibility. It also helps children learn about the value of money. The 3 M’s of allowance will help you guide kids of all ages in the right direction.

1.  Make yourself clear. Tell them that chores should contribute to the family, not just themselves. For instance, they should do more than keep their room clean and pick up their own things. They may also do things like help with yard work, clean the bathroom sink or empty the dishwasher. Make sure they do these things well before you pay them. If they don’t know how to do it, show them.

2.  Modest amounts. Kids should use allowance for fun things, not clothes or necessities. There’s no need to give them big amounts of money. Remember this is not a salary, but a way to teach kids about work. Older children should have more difficult jobs and therefore, their allowance should be larger.

3.  Monitor their spending. Once they earn their money, talk with kids about spending and saving. While they should have some freedom to spend their money on something they want, help them make wise choices. They may regret their purchase later if they don’t give it a lot of thought.

Increased participation in football, soccer, basketball, and other sports also leaves athletes more prone to injury, but certain good practices can help protect them from being sidelined, according to Dr. Scott Rodeo, an orthopedic surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

*  Athletes need to stay hydrated. Water is adequate, but fluids with electrolytes are needed if athletes exercise more than 2 hours a day.

*  Make sure young athletes warm up properly to slowly increase the heart and breathing rate by doing low-intensity versions of the activity and stretching.

*  Any player who feels dizzy, light-headed, or short of breath needs to get out of the game. This is especially important if playing or practicing in hot and humid conditions.

*  Athletes can push themselves during practice, but should not go to complete exhaustion.

*  Athletes should talk to their parents or coaches if they feel they have been injured. There is no such thing as a mild concussion. Signs of a concussion include a headache, light sensitivity, appearing confused, and clumsiness. After a player is removed from a game, parents need to monitor their child at home to make sure symptoms aren’t worsening.

*  Limit weekly training time, number of repetitions, and total distance to no more than a 10% increase each week.

*  Ensure the use of proper equipment for each sport: protective equipment should be the correct size, fit well, and protect from top to bottom.

*  Players should be educated on the rules of the game: make sure they understand their role and position, as well as where to be to avoid being in harm’s way.

*  Serious injuries should be promptly evaluated and treated. Even injuries that may be considered minor should be promptly checked by a medical professional so they do not cause more serious problems later on.

*  Parents should be vigilant to signs of burnout such as athlete’s fatigue, poor academic performance, and complaints of nonspecific muscle or joint problems.

*  Keep it positive: emphasize that the focus of sports participation should be on fun, skill acquisition, sportsmanship and, above all else, safety.

*  Nutrition is important for recovery. Consume a carbohydrate bar or carbohydrate drink immediately after practice, followed by a meal one to two hours after to help maintain strength and endurance.

1.Build confidence daily (even for 5 minutes):It is the everyday things we do with our children that help them feel stronger and happier no matter what. Say affirmations together on the way to school or read a bedtime story every night that teaches about your child’s power within.

2.Get them moving:Children need to move their bodies and get their energy released in a healthy way. Be sure they do something they love from making a garden to becoming a soccer star. (Let them pick it!)

3.Sign them up for 1 weekly confidence-building activity:Your children’s weekly boost may be a sport like soccer or singing lessons. Most importantly, they need to see themselves succeed (really important) and also have a regular way to see themselves master a task. This builds outer and then inner confidence.

4.See success together:Oprah always says that if you can believe it, you can achieve it. So help your children believe more fully in themselves. Do affirmations together like “I love me” and “I am amazing in every way.” Or, do a guided meditation, sing a song that sparks them up or draw a vision board. Let your creativity loose so you both become more self-assured.

5.Get inspired:Do something inspiring together whether it is going to see magnificent waterfalls, flying a kite, or learning hula-hooping. By doing something that lights your children up, they learn how to build a new skill and you’ll see their confidence soar.

6.Create an uplifting space:Decorate your children’s space so they see happy photos of themselves, their awards displayed, goals (or vision board) hung up and they have their favorite things all around them. By making the space feel good to your kids, they’ll realize this world is supporting them, their dreams can come true, and others want to see them succeed.

7.Play more:Happier children know the importance of play whether they are outdoors helping their parents garden or playing tag with their buddies! So the more you help your children build skills, see their power within, and play in their daily lives, the happier they’ll be.

Source: Maureen Healy, an emotional health and parenting expert, author of Growing Happy Kids: How to Foster Inner Confidence, Success, and Happiness