Today’s Parenting Tip:

DECIDE:   How much better you are getting at dealing with your child’s anger.

PRACTICE:  Today, think about the last time you dealt with your child’s anger.

 Rate your responses. You can score ½ points, if you think you were between ratings (1½, 2½, 3½).

1 point: I really don’t think about this as a problem. I was glad to avoid a tantrum – even if it meant I ignored the situation or gave-in to my child. It was easier on everybody.

 2 points: I knew and accepted this was a problem, but it didn’t seem like the biggest problem I had. I knew I should enforce rules. I tried to talk myself into staying in charge, but just couldn’t face the tantrum.

 3 points: I knew it was important to follow through with rules and not give in. I wasn’t sure what to do, but I tried to be matter-of-fact about sticking to what I expected my child to do. I didn’t feel guilty afterwards.

Compare your rating today to your rating on August 7.

Do you have a higher number today? If so, celebrate. You are making progress.

If not, remember you can repeat things as many times as you need to.

Try thinking about this rating again in a week and check your progress again

Today’s Decide and Practice daily parenting tip was inspired by our featured picture book, THAT MAKES ME MAD!.  Read the book to a child in your life each day as a reminder of what you are deciding and practicing that day.

Come back each day for another good parenting decision and how to practice it. (Each day’s activity will also be posted on the Daily Parenting Tips page for easy access.)

Read the whole story at What You Need to Know about an Angry Child, Part 1.