Child Discipline: To Punish or Not
Posted by Dr. Jane Nelsen on 9/1/2011
to Articles
 What do you think of when you hear the word “discipline”? Most people think of punishment. I invite you to think a little deeper starting with the exploration of the long-term results of punishment.
When children are punished they do not learn self-discipline. Punishment provides “external” motivation. Self-discipline requires “inner” motivation.
How Do You Motivate a Teen?
Posted by Dr. Jane Nelsen on 7/13/2011
to Articles
 There are many reasons why teens lack motivation -- to do what parents want them to do. (You'll notice they don't lack motivation to do what they want to do -- talk on the phone, skateboard, shop, party, etc.) For now, I'll mention just a few:
Family Meetings - Podcast
Posted by Dr. Jane Nelsen and Mary Nelsen-Tamborski on 7/11/2011
to Podcasts
 Several years ago some Adlerians recorded a bunch of family meetings in different families. For two years they looked for the perfect family meeting. Finally they gave up because they couldn't find a perfect family meeting. However, they were delighted with the positive results in families (more effective communication, focusing on solutions, having more fun together) even though their meetings were not perfect.
Mistakes are Wonderful Opportunities to Learn
Posted by Dr. Jane Nelsen on 6/28/2011
to Articles
 Have you ever “lost it” with you kids? My guess is that most people will answer, “Yes,” to this question. The next question is, “Then what did you do.” Did you feel guilty and beat up on yourself. Or did you rejoice because you just provided your children with a model of learning from mistakes? A primary theme of Positive Discipline is that “mistakes are wonderful opportunities to learn.” This is true for adults as well as children.
Another Hug Story - Podcast
Posted by Dr. Jane Nelsen on 5/19/2011
to Podcasts
 Some of you may know that a Hug is one of my favorite Positive Discipline Tools. During this podcast you will understand why as I interview Beth Whitehead after she sent me the following success story.
I Love You and the Answer is "No"
Posted by Dr. Jane Nelsen and Mary Nelsen-Tamborski on 4/28/2011
to Podcasts
Rudolf Dreikurs taught the importance  of being both kind and firm in our relations with children. Kindness is important in order to show respect for the child. Firmness is important in order to show respect for ourselves and for the needs of the situation. Authoritarian methods usually lack kindness. Permissive methods lack firmness. Kindness and firmness are essential for Positive Discipline.
Teaching Responsibility: When Does it Happen?
Posted by Dr. Jane Nelsen on 3/30/2011
to Articles
 I have been hearing questions such as, “How can I get my two-year-old to pick up his toys by himself?” (You can’t.) “Why does my teenager say she’ll empty the garbage and then avoid doing it unless I nag?” (She has a gazillion other life questions plaguing her.) “Why won’t my kids be responsible and just do what they know they should do?” (Do you always do what you know you should do—especially when someone else demands it of you?)
Special Time With Your Teenager
Posted by Single Dad Brad on 3/15/2011
to Podcasts
 When your child becomes a teenager, it is not uncommon for them to become defiant. They will often contradict you and even try to sabotage your best efforts to create a harmonious family life. This can be very discouraging to parents and usually results in constant power struggles.
Positive Discipline has a great tool called "Special Time" which can work wonders to create a connection with your teenager and solve a lot of the power struggles in your home.
I Can't Do It!
 Question:I have a student in my kindergarten class who is constantly saying "I can't do it". This applies to everything from taking off her shoes to doing work. She has a difficult time following directions, and rarely does what she is asked to do. She is the last one to get her coat off when she gets here in the morning, and she is always the last to get ready for recess and when it is time to go home. I have tried encouraging her with "you haven't even tried yet, how do you know you can't do it?" or "I know you can do it", but these encouraging statements don't seem to help. If I try to give her timeout when she refuses to work, she would spend all day in a timeout. I think she enjoys the attention she gets, but if I ignore her behaviour, it distracts the whole class. What is an effective way to deal positively with this type of behaviour? Thank-you.
 Weaning from the Pacifier-Should I, or Shouldn’t I?
Question:
I received the following question from Tiana:
I would like to know if you have any
suggestions as to how to help get my children (21/2 and 41/2 years old)
off of using a pacifier. I have never really worried about it before
and let them use it as they please because I know it comforts them and I
did not see any harm. I also remember my mother allowing me to suck my
thumb as long as I wanted to and she never nagged me or made me feel
bad about it. How wonderful my feelings are about that now looking
back. I eventually gave up thumb sucking on my own free will as a
freshman in high school. I took Lawson to the orthodontist today
because he has a large open mouth overbite that is affecting his speech
and teeth. The orthodontist did say that the pacifier was definitely
adding to the problem. I made him say it again, "Are you SURE?"
He was actually pretty nice and said that he
thought it was important to somehow get the child on board with the
decision to stop using it and not just rip them away. I want to make
sure that I do this in the most kind, respectful way as possible...if
possible. I also feel as though I need to do the same with his little
brother Ryan because it would be so hard for him to see his brother
still using a passy. Help! Opinions? Suggestions?
Using Candles to Deal with the Belief Behind the Behavior
Posted by Dr. Jane Nelsen on 2/21/2011
to Articles
 There is a belief behind every behavior, but we
usually only deal with the behavior. Dealing with the belief behind the
behavior does not mean you don't deal with the behavior. You are most
effective when you are aware of both the behavior and the belief behind
it.
Teen Getting Poor Grades & Being Suspended
Question: I attended your lecture on Positive Discipline held at Mira Costa on the 21st, because I really need help on where to go from here. I have an almost 13 year old boy who is testing his limits (and mine). What would be the best approach for me in the following instances: He was getting poor grades in two of his classes so I said until the grades are back up to an acceptable grade he was grounded from everything! Obviously this was before your lecture. Just as he gets A's on the next two tests (after just one week) he gets a detention at school for spitting a spit wad. Now I am really showing my disappointment, but let him have his life back. The following week he gets another detention for misusing the computers in the library. At this point he just knows how disappointed his father and I are. That same night he is at a friend's and the four friends get into mischief by damaging the neighbors property. On all the occasions he said he did things even though he knew they were wrong but he didn't want his friends to think he was weak and didn't want to be seen as NOT COOL. How should I handle this kind of stuff? Please help.
Forgetfulness: Irresponsible or Normal
Question:
My question is how
responsible can I legitimately expect my 10 yr old stepson to be. I
believe he "forgets" to do chores right or brush his teeth etc. because
he gets special undivided attention when he is getting in trouble even
though it is negative attention. He is a very intelligent boy and has no
mental challenges whatsoever. We have issues every single day of him
"forgetting" to do everything. He refuses to take any responsibility or
accountability for his actions. His regular response is..."uh I forgot".
Whack-A-Mole
Posted by Cheryl L. Erwin, MA, MFT Certified Positive Discipline Lead Trainer on 1/31/2011
to Articles
 Parenting is an odd thing. Just about the time it starts to feel easy, your kids grow up and move out. There have been many times in the years since my son started college that I’ve wanted to tell him, “You have to come back—I’m so much better at this now!”
Forgiving Yourself as a Parent
Posted by Cheryl L. Erwin, MA, MFT Certified Positive Discipline Lead Trainer on 1/26/2011
to Articles
 Facebook is an intriguing invention. I was hanging out there one evening and posted my status at the moment, which was that I was writing parenting commentaries for my weekly public radio show. “Does anyone have any suggestions?” I wondered to my Facebook friends.
Not four seconds later, a message from a Positive Discipline colleague of mine who lives in Ohio popped up on my screen. “How about this? How do you forgive yourself when you discover that you’re using the television as a babysitter for your child, even though you don’t think that’s okay?”
Listen
When parents say, “My child doesn’t listen,” what they really mean is that my child doesn’t obey.” Parents give orders and children resist orders—just as their parent most likely would. If you are experiencing power-struggles with your children, take a look at your part in creating the power-struggle.
Bus Behavior
Posted by Jane Nelsen, Roslyn Duffy, Linda Escobar, Kate Ortolano, and Debbie Owen-Sohocki on 12/6/2010
to Articles
Problems on the bus seem to be a major concern kindergarten through high school. Look at the behavior on any bus, anywhere in the world, and you will have a barometer of the development of (or lack of) internalized social skills, life skills, and social interest.
Time Out for Children Under the Age of Reason
Posted by Jane Nelsen & Cheryl Erwin on 11/22/2010
to Articles
In all of our books we talk about "Positive Time Out." There are several points that need to be made regarding time out for children who have not yet reached the age of reason:
I Need A Hug
Posted by Dr. Jane Nelsen on 11/16/2010
to Articles
I was watching some videos by Bob Bradbury the other day. They are very informative and inspiring. Bob tells a story about a father who tried the "I need a hug" suggestion. His small son was having a temper tantrum. The father got down on one knee and shouted, "I need a hug."
Routines
A week ago you received the article on the Positive Discipline Tool Card on Take Time for Training that was written mostly by Katie Clark who shared her success on the Positive Discipline Social Network Katie added the Routines tool and experienced a breakdown. She handled it very well, even though she didnt know she was handling it well. See why.
Take Time for Training
Several members of the Positive Discipline Social Network have been
having fun with the Positive Discipline Tool Cards. When they share
their great examples, I ask if they are willing to co-author an
article with me. Following you will find some helpful and encouraging
examples from Katie Clark.
Family Meetings
Posted by Dr. Jane Nelsen on 10/10/2010
to Articles
It is difficult for me to choose a favorite Positive Discipline parenting tool, but family meetings are at the top. Children learn so much during family meetings, such as listening, respecting differences, verbalizing appreciation, problem-solving, and experiencing that mistakes are wonderful opportunities to learn and focusing on solutions. I have a much longer list, but you get the idea. Family meetings also create a family tradition and will create many memories.
|
