Hi Parents,

This tip comes from Jeni. Jeni is wonderful wife, mother, and working mom. In fact, Jeni is married to my son, Brian. They have a 2 1/2 year-old named Ethan. Ethan delights me completely. I get to babysit him every Thursday. Thursday is my favorite day of the week. Here's Jeni's Tip:

Follow through. Follow through on both rewards and punishments. Empty promises and threats don't achieve anything.  - Jeni Tracy, Wife, Mother and Accountant

Years ago when my sons, Brian and Scott, were little, I learned why following through was so important. We'd go grocery shopping and the first thing they'd ask as we entered the store was, "Can we have some gum from the gumball machine?" I'd smile and say, "Let's see how you behave." They knew if they behaved they'd get a gumball. If I forgot about the gumballs when leaving the store, they'd remind me. That told me that images of gumballs danced in their heads while we shopped. The gumballs were important to them. Brian and Scott  taught me  that I needed to follow through.  I learned that following through motivated them to behave because  they knew they could trust me to do what I promised.

Let me know how important you think following through is? Do you have a story about following through?

 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.

Hi Parents,

Today's tip is from my special friend and neighbor, Beth. Beth is the office manager in one of our local elementary schools. Her school  serves  hundreds of kids from many different countries speaking many different languages. This is what Beth recommends.

Be involved in your child's schooling. Help in your child's classroom, with your child's homework, and work with your child's teacher if your child is having a school problem or is a school problem. If you form a partnership with your child's teacher you will be helping your child. - Beth Fahlstrom, Mother and School Office Manager

Many parents don't get involved in their child's schooling because they don't know how important it is, they feel overwhelmed in their own lives, or are too busy.

Parents, most teachers  love having your help. Helping in your child's classroom  offers you several golden opportunities. You'll find out how your child is doing. You'll  be more effective helping with your child's homework and you'll be showing  your child how much you care. Helping in your child's classroom is a great way to insure your child's success.

All my best,

Granny Jean

Do you have an opinion on helping in your child's classroom? Please comment.

Do you have a parenting tip to share with my readers? If so please send 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.

Hi Parents,

This parenting tip is from my brother-in-law, Ron. Ron knows something about kids. As you'll see he's raised six. They've  all turned into fine adults so I trust Ron's advice. Here it is:

Treat your kids with respect. "After raising six children I have learned how important it is to treat children with the respect I want from them. I believe it is good to allow children to have their say a long as they do it respectfully."      -Dr. Ron Tracy, DDS, Father, Grandfather, and Dentist.

Do you ever hear parents yell at their misbehaving kids in the grocery store?  Do you ever wonder how they express their anger at home? I do. I feel sad that parents get so frustrated. Yet it is easy to do when respect is forgotten. Ron has a good point. If we want our children to respect us, we must show them respect too, even when we're upset.

Do you have a parenting tip to send me for my readers? If so, please email me at www.KidsDiscuss.com and I'll send you an Age-Appropriate Chore List to show my appreciation.

Here's to your parenting success!

All my best,

Granny Jean

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

Hi Parents,

My friend, Roberta, sent me this one. Roberta raised 5 kids. Besides having lots parenting experience, Roberta has a special personality that kids love. She helped so many teens who were out of control in our local school district. I respect her advice immensely. This is her number one tip:

Be consistent. Being consistent in following through with rules and expectations should be the number one task with young parents. By being consistent, you eliminate the control that a child likes to have in "raising a parent." I think that being consistent is the hardest task a parent faces, but the positive consequences of good behavior far exceeds the effort. - Roberta Lewis, Mother, Grandmother, and High School Staff Member

I believe Roberta is right. Being consistent in following through with rules and expectations is the hardest task a parent faces. Yet, it is worth it.  Consider being inconsistent by not following through with discipline and promises:

• Can you see how a child would lose respect and trust for you?
• Can you see how a child might challenge your authority to guide?
• Can you see how a child might sass, ignore what  you say, and manipulate you?

Being inconsistent may be easier at the time of the problem or promise. In the long run being inconsistent becomes very painful.

Do you have more to say about being consistent or inconsistent?

Do you have a parenting tip to send me for my readers? If so, please email me at www.KidsDiscuss.com and I'll send you an Age-Appropriate Chore List to show my appreciation.

Here's to your parenting success!

All my best,

Granny Jean

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

Dear Parents,

Steve Irwin, Australia's "Crocodile Hunter," is being remembered with love throughout the United States. Our news stations show  fascinating videos of Steve and his work. They tell us that he was a great listener who paid respectful attention to everyone he met. Steve is the inspiration for  today's parenting tip.

"Listen and validate feelings. Rather than question your child's feelings, listen with understanding. Beware of saying things like, "You don't mean that," even if it is something you don't want to hear. If you can listen with understanding and validate your child's feelings, your child will be comfortable in coming to you with problems."

This tip was from my young cousin, Ann Mortensen, who is raising three awesome children.  Ann is the kind of mother who stops what she's doing, looks her children in the eye, and asks caring questions. They, in turn, share their thoughts and feelings with her. Because of her listening skills and her acceptance of their feelings, she is able to be her children's confidant and influence their character.

Thank you, Ann, for this important tip.

What do you think?

Here's to your parenting success!

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

Hi Parents,

Today's parenting tip comes from my friend, Claire Hatch. Claire is a mother and a marriage counselor. This is her advice:

"Give your child your full attention. Listen without an agenda. Give your child all the time s/he needs to develop his/her thoughts."

Parents, in todays' fast world it's difficult to listen well when there are so many things on your mind. It's easy to think your child's thoughts are not that important when you're busy. Consider asking yourself  the 10-10 -10 rule:

1. Will not listening to my child be important 10 minutes from now?

2. Will not listening to my child be important 10 months from now?

3. Will not listening to my child be important 10 years from now?

Listen, if you develop the habit of not listening, why would your child ever seek your advice?  Imagine the teen years and who your child will be listening to then.  When you're tempted to attend to your many tasks and not your child, consider Claire's advice. You'll be glad you did.

What do you think?

Here's to your parenting success!

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

Claire Hatch, MSW, can be contacted at www.ClaireHatch.com for rock solid marriage advice.

Hi Parents,

The following tip is from my friend, and heroine, Marilyn Wiltz. In a nearby school district, Marilyn started an alternative high school for dropouts. The school district gave up on these kids. Thanks to Marilyn's hard work, many graduated from her school. Because Marilyn is an expert, I asked her for a parenting tip.

Here it is:

"Avoid arguing and Talking Too Much. Rather say, "You may have a point." Listen and consider what your child has to say but still remember you are the parent."  Marilyn Wiltz, MA.

If this tip were followed from toddler to teens, I believe it would make a huge difference in mutual respect and communication.

Can you imagine how difficult it would be if your child argued with you from childhood onward? Can you imagine dealing with your arguing teenager? Can you imagine your fatigue , irritation, and feelings of helplessness from all that arguing?

Marilyn gives us three helpful  solutions:

1. Listen and consider what your child has to say.
2. Say, "You may have a point."
3. Remember you are the parent.

I believe it is important to give your child respect by listening and then acknowledging his or her point. Yet, when it comes to decision-making, remember you are the parent. You have the authority, the power, and the responsibility  to choose what's best for your child.

What do you think?

Here's to your parenting success!

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

Dear Parents,

This is the anniversary of 9/11. The news is filled with pictures and stories that bring tears to my eyes. Today I'm sharing a parenting suggestion from a wise friend and mother:

""Include your child in difficult things, like the death of a loved one."  Mary Watts, Mother and Accountant.

It's helpful to let your child see you grieve. When your child sees you grieve your child realizes that grief is normal. It adds another dimension and makes life more realistic. Of course, your child will have sad  things to grieve throughout his or her life. To help your child now  have him or her draw a picture of the difficulty and then tell you about it. When you take the time to listen you'll lessen your child's pain.

If you have a parenting tip Write to Granny. By writing to Granny I will know that you are allowing me to post it.

Granny Jean publishes a FREE top-rated Parenting Newsletter, "Tips and Tools for Character Builders," twice a month. Please subscribe and receive 80 FREE fun activities to share with your kids at www.KidsDiscuss.com