Are You Using A Rewards System For Good Behavior?
Sometimes, all children need is a little encouragement and positive reinforcement to ensure they are on their best behavior. Using the for good behavior is a controversial subject. While some proponents believe it can be a good thing, others think it can be overused, thus having no affect at all. Here are a few positive reinforcement ideas for kids, when used properly, can help you tame the unruly child.
How do you reward your child for good behavior? Do you buy a toy which he or she has been asking for? Do you allow them an extra hour of TV? Or do you use another approach? There are several methods you can use to reward your child for good behavior which will not cost anything at all. One is praise. Children need to feel loved and accepted. Praising them for an accomplishment or behavior can reinforce that love.
According to experts, verbal reinforcement is very powerful. Yes, words are very powerful; and when used appropriately can make all the difference in the world to a child. It is positive reinforcement at its very best.
If your child had an especially good day in school, or shared with other children during playtime, or helped you with a specific chore at home, reward the child by allowing him to pick a movie, or choose what to have for supper, or allow additional time for his favorite program. Another choice would be to give the child a day off from walking the pet, or taking out the garbage for a week. While rewarding a child for good behavior may seem appropriate, it can be overused to such a degree that the child would do anything for that particular reward.
To infuse good behavior is to properly raise the child from the get-go. Certainly, children at some time become unruly, but the reward system may work one time, and one time only. Using positive reinforcement to ensure your child has not only been good, but is loved and accepted for who he or she is. Once that is established, the rest will follow.
Are You Teaching Your Kids How To Handle Money?
It is up to us as parents to provide financial prowess in teaching kids how to handle money. Here are some tips on how to accomplish this difficult process.
Kids learn by example. If you are in debt, odds are they will be too. You need to teach fiscal responsibility at an early stage. The earlier you discuss money with your kids, the better prepared they will become. Open up a savings account with your kids; allow them to deposit and make withdrawals. Give them the option to use the account in whichever way they decide. By allowing them this freedom to choose, you are also giving them the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them. Always be there in case they need your advice in this regard.
Give them an allowance. If they run out of money before the following week, do not replenish it. This will teach them about choices: the good and the bad. This is especially true if they are saving to buy something special. If they use their money unwisely, and cannot buy that which they were saving for a valuable lesson will be learned.
Do not spoil your kids by giving them everything they want. Give them just enough money via a weekly allowance and no more. If they choose to buy something you think is not appropriate, discuss it with them. Teach them about the importance of saving money and what they can look forward to as they get older. Give them examples of your own experience as a child, particularly if you had a problem handling money.
Finally, teach them the pitfalls of borrowing. If they ask for money to buy a certain item; inform them they will have to pay it back with interest. Tell them exactly how much they will have to pay back and figure out together how long it would take. Undoubtedly, they may change their mind; but if not, stick to the terms you set. Teaching your kids how to handle money begins with you. Whether you were a saver or a spender, it is incumbent upon you to pass on to your child all the tools he or she needs to make worthwhile decisions now and in the future.
What to do when your Teenagers have Friends You Don’t Like
Life with a teenager can be very interesting. One day, you understand each other perfectly and the next, it is like you are living on two different planets. One subject that parents and teenagers have trouble agreeing on is their friends.
Parents have to tread lightly when it comes to likes and dislikes concerning your teens. Most teens go through various phases between the ages of twelve and eighteen. Hanging around with friends that you don’t approve of could be one of those phases.
Determine why you don’t approve of their friends. If the reason for disapproval surrounds their appearance or mannerisms, you may have to put up with it. If your teenager is having a hard time figuring out who they are, the chances are that someone else’s teenager is having the same trouble. Asking your son or daughter to drop a friend because of their looks sends the wrong message.
If one of their friends is disrespectful in your house, handle this situation directly with the offending teenager. This is your house and you lay the ground rules. Kindly tell the friend that he must change his tone and word usage in your home. If he agrees, then the problem is handled.
Teens often do things that they have been taught. Propping feet up on the or drinking from the juice carton may be okay at their home. Talk to your teenager’s friends with respect and tell them that you don’t allow certain things to be done in your home. The reason they didn’t do it before was because he or she just didn’t know.
If you suspect that one of your teenagers new friends is into drugs or something else that is not above board, action may be warranted. Keeping an open line of communication with your teenager should alert you to any changes in their behavior that may have prompted their new relationship with this friend. Ask your teenager if their new friend is into any risky behaviors.
Before your child can object to the question, reiterate that you are concerned about them. You can suggest that they may want to distance themselves if this new friend is doing something that could get them in trouble. If your teenager insists that nothing is going on, trust them. You have raised them to be aware of drugs, alcohol, smoking, and sex. They have all of the tools that they need. The rest is up to them.
Teenagers will have all types of friends. It is okay to be concerned if a friend doesn’t click with you. Take the time to understand the reasons why you don’t approve of the friend before jumping to conclusions.
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