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Parenting Tips by Jean Tracy, MSS, for grades K-6:

Effective Child Discipline:

Do you regret the things you say when disciplining your kids? Do you wish you could take back your words? Do you hope your kids will forget what you said? Inside you'll find some parenting advice for sounding "just right" when you discipline.

Today's Agenda for Building Character in Kids:

• In our last post we discussed a quote from Rita Rudner.
• We also shared how to practice the "parenting look."
• In this post, we'll look at a quote from Dorothy Parker.
• We'll also learn how to discipline with effective "parenting sounds."

Parenting Quote:

"The best way to keep children at home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant ??? and let the air out of their tires." ??? Dorothy Parker

We dream of raising a happy family. We don't dream of disciplining. Yet discipline is crucial to parenting well. Letting the air out of your kids' tires can be done with words. Yelling dreadful things like, "I hate you! You're so stupid! You can't do anything right!" is more deflating to our kids' self-esteem than unscrewing the cap off a tire. To be an effective parent, you'll want to think before you speak. You'll want to consider the results of your words. You'll want to say just enough and no more. Below you'll find and good way to start. It's called "parenting sounds."

Follow the Example of Professional Speakers:

Public speakers routinely use the mirror and the tape recorder for practicing their talks. They listen to the sound of their voice. They practice where to pause and which words to emphasize. They record their speeches, listen, make changes, and record them again until it sounds "just right." By practicing both the parenting look and the parenting sounds, they gain the confidence they need to present well.

Parenting Tips for Effective "Parenting Sounds:"

Let's say your child forgot to feed the dog, didn't do his homework, stole money from your purse, hurt a neighbor kid, or something else. You've been yelling at him since he was a toddler. It isn't working. They say an ignorant person keeps repeating things that don't work. What can you do?

As in our last post, we practiced the "parenting look" in the bathroom. Let's head for the bathroom again. It's time to practice the "parenting sounds and the "parenting look together."Lock the door and turn on the fan. Keep your practice sessions to yourself. Turn on your tape recorder.

Parenting Tips for Sound Parenting:

Your goal as the parent is to practice the look, the words and the sounds with which to discipline effectively. You'll want to remove sighs, anger, and exasperation from your voice. You'll want to practice speaking with controlled, serious, and authoritative tones. You'll want to use words you'll feel good about later. You'll want to avoid lecturing by keeping it short and simple. Say just enough and no more. Practice the look, with the voice and the words while imagining your child's response. Tape record your practices until you're satisfied. If your tone, your words and your look are balanced, then your discipline will be too. Remember, if you're replacing poor discipline habits with these new parenting skills, it will take practice.

By employing the above parenting tips, you won't be letting the air out of your child's self-esteem. Your home will be a pleasant place. You'll become the parent. You'll be respected and you'll be building character too.

In our next post, we'll examine another tough and tender parenting tip that will help you discipline effectively.

Please add you own tips for effectively disciplining your kids. We'd love to hear them.

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If you'd like to sharpen your parenting skills, check out our Parenting Skills Kit with its Kind and Firm "Discipline Stick". Now is a great time to build character.

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