Hi Parents,

This tip comes from my cousin, Bob. Bob's leadership skills prompt corporations to seek him out to head their businesses.  His abundant social skills and ability to tell the truth as he sees it make him a remarkable man. He's bright, upbeat, and speaks respectfully when projecting his viewpoint. This is Bob's tip:

Teach How to Disagree. "Teach your child how to respectfully disagree with you. Don't accept anything less than respect." - Bob Bury, Businessman

You can teach your children to disagree at family meetings. Role play a disagreement like when to do homework. Let's say you want your child to do homework right after school. Your child doesn't want to. A role play might teach your child to repeat what you said then give his or her point of view. Here's an example:

Parent:  "Please do your homework right after school."                                                                                                            

Child: "You want me to do my homework right after school and I 'd like to relax and play after school. I promise to do  it right after dinner. "

Parent: "Let's try having you do your homework right after dinner for one week. If I have to remind you to do it, then I expect you to do it right after school. Do you agree?"

Child: "OK."

Of course, there are many different responses that could be said durning a role play. The point is that as the parent, you take the leadership roll in teaching your child how to respectfully disagree.

How do you teach your child to respectfully disagree with you? Any thoughts you may have would be appreciated.

All my best,

Granny Jean

Do you have a parenting tip to share with my readers? If so please email it to www.KidsDiscuss.com  and receive a Free Age-Appropriate Chore Chart.

Jean Tracy, MSS, "Granny Jean" publishes the Free top-rated parenting newsletter, "Tips and Tools for Character Builders." Subscribe at www.KidsDiscuss.com  and receive Free 80 Fun Activities to share with your kids.

Hi Parents,

This parenting tip comes from one of my favorite people, Aunt Bubs. Aunt Bubs raised 4 excellent children. Aunt Bubs and I  spent many a dinner at our special restaurant.  I picked her brains because of her success with her own children. Here is her tip:

Praise and Respect:  "Praise children to build their self-esteem. Respect their secrecy. If they tell you something and ask you to keep it a secret, do so."

Aunt Bubs' tip reminds me of a parent I counseled who had a talking problem. Whenever  her son shared a secret, she told it to her circle of friends. When he became a teenager, he stopped communicating with her. He knew he couldn't trust her. She felt bad because he stopped sharing. She lost her opportunity to influence with him too.

What do you think about keeping secrets?

All my best,

Granny Jean

Do you have a parenting tip to share with my readers? If so please email it to www.KidsDiscuss.com  and receive a Free Age-Appropriate Chore Chart.

Jean Tracy, MSS, "Granny Jean" publishes the Free top-rated parenting newsletter, "Tips and Tools for Character Builders." Subscribe at www.KidsDiscuss.com  and receive Free 80 Fun Activities to share with your kids.

Hi Parents,

This parenting tip comes from my friend, Nick Wiltz. Nick is a child psychologist. Like his wife, Marilyn whose tip we offered on September 14th, Nick worked with the most difficult cases and helped so many families. This is Nick's tip:

Discipline wisely. "When disciplining, don't talk, act!" - Nick Wiltz, PhD, father, grandfather, child psychologist

Nick's tip reminds me of so many of my own counseling cases. Imagine telling your child she has 5 minutes to brush her teeth and get to bed. 10 minutes later, you call out, "Are you in bed yet?" Your child answers from the bathroom, "Almost!" 10 minutes later, you call out again, "Are you in bed yet?" Again, your child answers, "Almost!" 10 minutes later you call out, "Are you in bed yet?" For the third time her answer is, "Almost!" You get so mad that you start yelling, "If you don't get in bed right now, I'll come in there and spank you." Within 5 seconds your child is in bed.

What just happened? Like Nick said, "Don't talk. act!" You talked 3 times. When you raised your voice after the third time, your child jumped in bed. Why? Your child knows you won't act until you've nagged her 3 times. Nick is suggesting you follow through immediately when you want your child to do something. Following through might be as simple as going to the bathroom with a serious look on your face and staring at your child until she's finished. Most kids will finish quickly and get to bed. If you act rather than talk, you won't end up threatening your child with a spanking. 

Some parents disagree with this advice because they think it is too harsh. What do you think?

All my best,

Granny Jean

Do you have a parenting tip to share with my readers? If so please email it to www.KidsDiscuss.com  and receive a Free Age-Appropriate Chore Chart.

Jean Tracy, MSS, "Granny Jean" publishes the Free top-rated parenting newsletter, "Tips and Tools for Character Builders." Subscribe at www.KidsDiscuss.com  and receive Free 80 Fun Activities to share with your kids.

Hi Parents,

Today's parenting tip comes from my oldest son, Scott. He and Andrea have 2 daughters, Paola, age 10 and Daniela, age 7. The girls are coming to spend the weekend. I can hardly wait. Here is Scott's tip:

"Be Firm. When it is time for your child to come out of Time Out, ask her why she was sent there. If she says, "I don't know," tell your child to go back until she does know. (This is providing you made it clear why she was sent there in the first place.) It may take three or four times before she admits her misbehavior and answers you. In the end your child will learn to take responsibility for her own behavior." -Scott Tracy, Parent and Business Manager

Guess what, Parents? Scott was sent to Time Out many times as a child. It gave him time to think about his misbehavior. It helped him take responsibility for his misbehavior. It taught him the self-discipline  to delay immediate pleasure and strive for long term goals. I have to admit, though, he didn't like Time Out at the time.

It pleases me that Scott and Andrea use Time Out with their girls. They never hit their girls. Time Out is their way of being firm. I think their use of Time Out is what makes the girls so much fun to be with. I can take them anywhere and be proud of their behavior. One thing I've noticed, girls talk a lot more than boys.

I know that many parents strongly disagree with Time Out. They think it's too harsh. How about you?  What is your opinion about Time Out?

All my best,

Granny Jean

Do you have a parenting tip to share with my readers? If so please email it to www.KidsDiscuss.com  and receive a Free Age-Appropriate Chore Chart.

Jean Tracy, MSS, "Granny Jean" publishes the Free top-rated parenting newsletter, "Tips and Tools for Character Builders." Subscribe at www.KidsDiscuss.com  and receive Free 80 Fun Activities to share with your kids.

Hi Parents,

This tip comes from my friend, Betty. Betty raised four children. Her daughter, Mercy, and I have been friends since our kids were little. In fact,  Mercy babysat my kids when they were young. The following is a tip from Mercy's mother.

Teach about money. When the kids wanted to borrow money we set up a contract. The kids had to put in their money first. They borrowed  the rest from us. We set up a payment chart until they paid us back by completing chores.  Today, as adults, they handle money well. - Betty McMaster, Mother and Great Grandmother

I appreciate Betty's tip. She's right. Her children do handle money well. So do her grandchildren. Betty's method emphasized self-discipline, responsibility, and a respect for money.

How do you teach your kids about money? I'd love to know.

All my best,

Granny Jean

Do you have a parenting tip to share with my readers? If so please email it to www.KidsDiscuss.com  and receive a Free Age-Appropriate Chore Chart.

Jean Tracy, MSS, "Granny Jean" publishes the Free top-rated parenting newsletter, "Tips and Tools for Character Builders." Subscribe at www.KidsDiscuss.com  and receive Free 80 Fun Activities to share with your kids.

Hi Parents,

Today's parenting tip comes from my friend, Rosalie. Rosalie and her husband, Beau, raised two excellent sons. Like most kids the boys played sports. Rosalie witnessed many parents losing their composure at little league games. This is her advice:

Remember the Goals. Rather than yell and criticize your kids at little league games, remember the goals of team sports. Instead, use phrases like, "Good job! You played well! Way to go!"

Rosalie's parenting tip reminds me of a client I counseled who pressured his kids, yelled at them during their games, and criticized them afterward. One child dropped out of sports even though she had lots of natural talent. The other child seethed with anger even though he achieved great success.  Both kids are now adults. Neither child comes home to visit. Their parents feel a great deal of regret.

How about you? Have you noticed out of control parents yelling at their kids' during their games? If you could give them advice, what would you tell them?

All my best,

Granny Jean

Do you have a parenting tip to share with my readers? If so please email it to www.KidsDiscuss.com  and receive a Free Age-Appropriate Chore Chart.

Jean Tracy, MSS, "Granny Jean" publishes the Free top-rated parenting newsletter, "Tips and Tools for Character Builders." Subscribe at www.KidsDiscuss.com  and receive Free 80 Fun Activities to share with your kids.

Hi Parents,

This parenting tip comes from my friend, Kim. Kim is raising a teenage son and daughter all by herself. I admire both her strength and wisdom. Here is Kim's tip:

Welcome Friends. If your kids shut down and won't talk with you, make sure their friends are welcome at  your home. You'll find out what they're into if you hear their conversations from the next room. - Kim Street, Mother and Legal Secretary

Kim is a non-intrustive gentle mother. She's no dummy either. I think her tip has great merit, especially with all the dangers for teens today. If you don't have an idea of what your kids are into, how can you help them? If you listen in on their conversations, you'll have a better chance.

My guess is that many parents will disagree with Kim's advice. Do you? Please comment.

All my best,

Granny Jean

Do you have a parenting tip to share with my readers? If so please email it to www.KidsDiscuss.com  and  receive a Free  Age-Appropriate Chore Chart.

Jean Tracy, MSS, "Granny Jean" publishes the Free top-rated parenting newsletter, "Tips and Tools for Character Builders." Subscribe at www.KidsDiscuss.com  and receive Free 80 Fun Activities to share with your kids.

Hi Parents,

This Parenting Tip comes from my cousin, Carol. Carol raised 4 boys and 1 girl. She has the kind of experience I look up to. Here's Carol's tip:

Enjoy your child. Take each child individually out to dinner. Listen more than talk. Use this as bonding time. - Carol DeHarness, Mother and Grandmother

Years ago when my son, Brian, was 15, I did exactly what Carol suggested. Every Tuesday I would take him to his guitar lesson. Then we went out to dinner. Brian is the quieter of my two sons so I knew I had to get him to talk. It took effort on my part to say very little and leave long silent pauses in our conversation. I didn't grill him on his friends. I didn't ask what happened at the latest teenage party. I listened instead. Sure enough, Brian began to talk. Much of the conversation centered on his current interest, his music. It wasn't exactly what I wanted to know but I kept listening.

After one dinner, Brian said something that shocked me. "Mom," he said, "You're my best friend." Now Brian's an adult and we remain very good friends. In fact, he created my website at www.KidsDiscuss.com 

I'm glad I took Carol's advice. Going out to dinner with Brian is one of my most cherished memories.

How do you create  bonding time with your kids? Please share your experiences.  

All my best,

Granny Jean

Do you have a parenting tip to share with my readers? If so please email it to www.KidsDiscuss.com  and  receive a Free  Age-Appropriate Chore Chart.

Jean Tracy, MSS, "Granny Jean" publishes the top-rated parenting newsletter, "Tips and Tools for Character Builders." Subscribe at www.KidsDiscuss.com  and receive Free 80 Fun Activities to share with your kids.