Dear Parents,

Do you ever get in power struggles with your child? Do you ever lose? How do you feel? If your child loses, how do you think your child feels toward you? Let's face it, some folks love to fight. They think yelling, belittling, and raising superior arguments makes them winners. Are they right?

Did you know that children will argue forever to get the last word? They'll go farther and last longer than most adults. At times like these, logic flies out the window. You'll be angry. Your child will feel powerful and think they've won because you quit fighting. In the end, everybody loses.

My counselor friend, Lori Holmes, advises, "Avoid power struggles with your child. If you lose, you lose authority in the relationship. If you win you make your child a loser."

Next time there's an opportunity to fight with your child, remember Lori's words. I believe they'll help you make the best choice.

What do you do when you and your child disagree? I'd love to know. Send me a note at:

Jean Tracy's Email

Become an exceptional parent. Subscribe to my Free Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids at:

http://www.KidsDiscuss.com

 With warm wishes for your parenting success,

Jean

Jean Tracy, MSS

Dear Parents,

Are you so busy with your career, your children's activities, and running your household that you rarely have time for each other? Would you like some ideas on how to keep your love alive? Inside you find 3 dating ideas you can use right now. They won't cost you money either.

You'll find 121 dating ideas in my upcoming marriage e-book. Here are some of them to spark romance in your marriage:

1. Go for a walk and talk. Your children may need to come along if you don't have babysitters. Can you picture them in strollers, on bicycles, or skipping along in front of you?

    

2. Rub each other's back for 15 minutes. We all need human contact. When you rub each other's shoulders you rub out the stresses of the day. Use yummy lotion and help your partner relax to your touch.

    

    

3. Play your favorite game of card after the children are asleep. My husband and I play a simple card game almost every night. It connects us after a long day at work. We laugh, tease a little, and enjoy each other's company. You can too.

Keep your family close by loving each other. It's good for you and it's good for your children.

What do you do to keep your love alive? I'd love to know. E-mail me at:

Jean Tracy's Email

Become an exceptional parent. Subscribe to my Free Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids at:

http://www.KidsDiscuss.com

 With warm wishes for your parenting success,

Jean

Jean Tracy, MSS

Dear Parent,

Would you like to build character in your kids when you discipline them? Are you afraid you're too harsh or too easy? Would you like to discipline with logic? Inside you'll find 3 common problems and 3 logical ways to handle them.

Discipline Problem and Its Solution # 1 ~ your children fight over which TV program to watch.

Consider turning off the TV for a day. Your children will need to find something else to do. Hopefully, it won't be computer games.

Discipline Problem and Its Solution #2 ~ your child waves sharp scissors around recklessly.

Consider taking the sharp scissors away and handing your child blunt tipped scissors young children use. This can be a good alternative when your child needs scissors for homework projects.

Discipline Problem and Its Solution # 3 ~ your child ignores your commands to "get off the phone."

Consider taking phone privileges away for 1 or 2 days. This might be difficult if you work outside the home and the phone is available when you're not there. In that case, take the phone privileges away when you are home.

Building Character with Logical Consequences Conclusion:

Perhaps you noticed each problem had a logical consequence. Each problem had a direct solution connected to the misbehavior. It wouldn't be logical if your child didn't get off the phone when you asked and you told your child to walk the dog as a punishment. Walking the dog has no direct consequence to your child hanging up the phone.

I know it isn't easy to always find a logical consequence when disciplining your child. You'll need to stop and think before you speak. Ask yourself, "What consequence fits this misbehavior?" You'll almost always come up with a good solution.

Become an exceptional parent. Subscribe to my Free Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids at:

http://www.KidsDiscuss.com

If you liked the above tips, and want to raise your child with a positive character, discover the Parenting Skills Kit. It has parenting skills and encouragement for you when handling your kids. There's a "discipline stick" inside it too. It helps parents worldwide teach family values. Pick it up at:

Parenting Skills Kit

 Send me your parenting questions and I'll send you a parenting surprise. Just email your question to:

Jean Tracy's Email

 With warm wishes for your parenting success,

Jean

Jean Tracy, MSS

Dear Parent,

Would you like to build character in your kids through chores? Would you like your family to become a team and work together? Do you know how? Inside you will find 3 household chores for 9 and 10-year-olds.

Teach your boys and girls to wash and dry their clothes:

First, they'll need to collect their dirty clothes in one place like basket in their closet or a hamper.

Second, teach them how to fold their clothes. You might have to show them how several times.

Third, make sure they have a place to put their clean clothes and teach your children how to arrange them. It's as easy as that.

After they know how, expect them to follow through and take care of their own clothes. I know teaching your children to wash and dry clothes, fold their laundry, and put their laundry takes time. Yet in the end you'll save bundles of time because you're not doing their work. You'll be teaching them responsibility, a sense of order, and how to take care of themselves. They'll be learning these positive skills for life. You'll be building character with chores. The family work load will lessen for you too.

Become an exceptional parent. Subscribe to my Free Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids at:

http://www.KidsDiscuss.com

If you liked the above tips, and want to raise your child with a positive character, discover the Chore Chart Kit. It has age appropriate chores for your kids. It helps parents worldwide teach family values. It can help your work together too. Pick it up at:

Chore Chart Kit

 Send me your parenting questions and I'll send you a parenting surprise. Just email your question to:

Jean Tracy's Email

 With warm wishes for your parenting success,

Jean

Jean Tracy, MSS