Monday’s Parenting Thought

Children often misbehave as a way to get the attention that all human beings need. Therefore, discipline and attention are connected.

1. When adults ignore misbehavior, children get no attention for their misbehavior. Therefore, the misbehavior may continue or even get worse in order to get attention.

2. When adults punish misbehavior with too much emotion, children can be willing to put up with the
   punishment to get the super-sized attention. Therefore, the misbehavior may continue or even get worse in order to get attention.

3. When adults enforce rules and consequences in a matter-of-fact way, the children get only a little bit of attention with their punishment. They don’t see this as the best way to get attention, so the misbehavior is likely to stop.

You can read more about discipline at Kids and Sharing, Kids and Sharing, part 2, or Sticking to the Rules.

Inspired by GEORGE UPSIDE DOWN by Meghan McCarthy

More about what kids need at  Meet Kids Where They Are.