Back To School
Things have been going much more smoothly lately. Our home is no longer a battlefield over homework. I am glad that I stuck with it, until I found a method of discipline that worked. (I never spank or "whoop" my child because I believe that with a little thought and imagination I can find a more peaceful solution to the problem.)
I knew as most you of do, that a system of rewards and punishments should solve this problem. But what I didn't know was that it can take a while to find the right rewards or punishments. This may be where many parents get frustrated and resort to the "quick fix" of spanking.
I didn't realize that rewards and punishments must be tailored to the personality of your child. I know, in retrospect that this sounds like common sense, but I guess, I just hadn't given it enough thought. I now realize that I will have to review these rewards and punishments as my daughter matures and values different things. I will need to keep the lines of communication open and reevaluate her rewards and punishments as needed.
Keep in mind that what works for one child may not work for another. The key is in knowing your child, finding out what they value most, and using it as the reward for a job well done.
I hope everyone is settling into school, and finding creative ways to solve those pesky behavioral problems that pop up every so often - even in the best of kids. If you are having problems finding the right combination of rewards and punishments, I encourage you to stick with it. A little bit of patience in this regard will pay off in the long run. If you don't know what your child values the most, ask them! Talk to your children frequently about their likes and dislikes. This will give you the information you need to help them understand that everyone has to do their work before they get to do the fun stuff.
A while back a single mom asked how to balance her responsibilities with her children, work, and going back to school. She deleted her message before I could offer any solutions, so I would like to ask my readers how they juggled their own schooling with all the other responsibilities of being a single mom. Please post your answers in the "Discussion" section so
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