Consistency: The Key to Eliminating Child Behavior Problems
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by: Dr.NoelSwanson.
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The importance of consistency in parenting can never be over-emphasized. It is the most essential requirement as far as child discipline is concerned. Any lapse will cause heavy damage in terms of reverting to bad behavior by the child. Yet, it cannot be denied that maintaining consistency is also the most arduous task. After all, parents are but human and children can sometimes drive you up the wall. Nonetheless, if you, as a parent, can get over the initial hurdles to being consistent, there are a number of benefits waiting for you.
You will need an unshakable determination to deal with children; children can be exasperating at times. They will test your will power. Older children will be defiant and younger ones will just not remember the rules. Your task is to go on repeating the same rules over and over again until they are well established. During the course of this drill, you may encounter sudden bursts that will catch you unawares and off guard. You need to be conscious of such moments and have a back-up strategy to deal with the unanticipated situation. Basically, you should be able to pre-empt your child's moves and have a solution.
It's always best to start and maintain consistency as early as possible. Most parents wait for children to grow a little older to start establishing rules; they wait too long. It's better to start when they are young because the younger they are the faster they learn, and for older children it is a longer process since they have to unlearn a certain behavior pattern to adopt a new one. Here are a few tips to maintain consistency:
1. Sit down and communicate. This talk should be between parents and involve laying out a planned course of action for establishing child discipline. Take a look at areas where consistency is lacking and develop a plan for establishing consistency.
2. Perseverance: You can't succeed at once. You will have to be patient and persevering. Every time you seem to fail and think your strategy is not working, start with renewed energy and keep at it. Don't quit half way.
3. Flexibility: There are no hard and fast rules of parenting. Parents learn as they go along all the time. So, don't be afraid to change and adapt as the situation demands. Life can't be lived by the book. Make changes in the action plan if you think it is not working.
4. Team work: Parents must work as a team supporting each other and backing each other up. You may want a support system consisting of a close friend, family member or professional who can provide objective parenting tips and view point.
5. Ask for parenting help, if you need it. No one knows everything about parenting. But you can learn by talking to people or reading books.
You can establish a routine of child discipline that works for everyone by communicating, persevering, supporting and being willing to ask questions. Remember, being consistent with child discipline isn't easy, but it is rewarding.
About the Author
More expert advice on how to solve children's behavioral problems is available from Dr. Noel Swanson's website, which is all about correcting Child Behavior Problems. Make sure you get his FREE newsletter and 1 hour audio too.
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