Today’s Parenting Tip:

DECIDE:   To mean what you say to your child.

PRACTICE:       Today, write down the “I don’t really mean it.” statements you make to your child. For example, “In a minute.” “Maybe.” or “Sure.”

Listen for how many times you say these things today and how many times you follow through afterwards.

Did your child ignore that you didn’t follow through – as though he knew you wouldn’t? Did your child act disappointed when you didn’t follow through? Did he pester you with more requests?

Make a list of other things you could say to avoid these meaningless statements. For example, “I can’t answer you right now. Ask me later.” Or, “It will take me until the big hand is on the three to be ready to play with you.”

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 2.