"Building Character Starts with Getting Your Kids To Talk."

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

Today's Parenting Skills Tip fits our Parenting Skills Kit. Have you ever felt insulted by your child's refusal to eat what you fix? Most parents hear, "I don't like this. Do I have to eat it? Why don't you ever fix what I like?" I sure did.

If you've just come from work and want to fix something quick and easy, you might not please anybody. What can you do?

Parenting Skills Tip – Use Logical Consequences:

You don't have to please everybody. You don't have to accept complaints either. Why not use a logical consequence? A logical consequence is a natural response to complainers. It makes sense too.

If your children don't like what you fix, take them shopping. Have them pick out easy meals to fix. Then teach them to prepare at least part of the dinner. For instance, your eight-year-old Allison might fix a green salad. Six-year-old Sammy can set the table. Ten-year-old Andy can set up the chicken with shake 'n' bake. When you come home, all you have to do is pick out a vegetable.

Parenting Skills Conclusion:

Logical Consequences worked with my complainers. It can work with yours too. You'll be teaching your children responsibility. They'll be fixing what they like. They won't be complaining either. Logical consequences build character too.

How do you handle your dinner complainers? Let me know by emailing me at http://www.kidsdiscuss.com/contact.asp . When I receive your tip, I will send you a surprise.

Treat yourself to our Parenting Skills Kit at http://www.kidsdiscuss.com/parent_resource_center.asp?pr_id=kd003 and discover how easy and fun it is to build your child's character by teaching responsibility.

Jean Tracy, MSS publishes a Free Parenting Newsletter. Subscribe at http://www.KidsDiscuss.com and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids.