| Would you like 3 parenting tips on how to discipline | | | | B. She'll shut me out if I keep criticizing. |
| without criticism? You can stop being your child's | | | | C. I'll talk to her later after I've calmed down and |
| critical judge and build character instead. Look inside to | | | | thought things through. |
| find out how. | | | | Second Parenting Tip - think of better ways to talk |
| I've done my share of criticizing. It didn't help me or my | | | | about the problem like: |
| or build character in my children. I knew I had to stop | | | | A. Please clean up your snacks before I fix dinner. |
| and I did. Today I'll share how you can stop criticizing | | | | B. When you leave your toys scattered in the house |
| too, but first let's look at why criticism is such a poor | | | | and go out to play, I feel irritated. Please pick them up |
| way to discipline. | | | | now. |
| Discipline Tips for Parents - What's Wrong with | | | | C. Ask your child, "How can you make this situation |
| Criticism? | | | | better?" |
| Take yourself for example. Did your parents criticize | | | | Notice, there was no name calling or put downs. You |
| you? If so, were you grateful because you understood | | | | didn't whine, nag, yell, or lecture either. The first |
| they meant it for your own good? Or did you feel: | | | | statement spoke directly. The second expressed your |
| 1. Ashamed because you failed again | | | | feeling. The third asked your child to come up with a |
| 2. Guilty because you disappointed them | | | | solution. Why not mix and match these suggestions |
| 3. Angry because no matter how hard you tried, you | | | | when you're calm and ready to speak. |
| couldn't please them | | | | Third Parenting Tip - look for ways to praise. |
| Criticism is like corrosive acid. It eats away at your | | | | Criticism sticks its finger in the eye of openness and |
| child's confidence. It eats away at your child's initiative. | | | | clamps it shut. Praise opens your child's heart to look |
| And, without confidence and initiative, your child stops | | | | for ways to please. When there's no problem to solve, |
| trying. He fears making mistakes. He fears your | | | | use specific praise. Why specific praise? You'll want |
| criticism. | | | | your child to know you mean it. He'll know when you |
| Realize that your child goes inside his head, just like | | | | tie it to something he did well like: |
| you did when you were a child, and thinks thoughts like: | | | | A. I like how you (cleaned up after your snacks today.) |
| 1. I didn't do it on purpose. Dad's such a grouch. | | | | B. I'm pleased that you (picked up your toys before |
| 2. She's always mad at me. I can't stand listening to | | | | going out to play.) |
| her. | | | | C. You played so well (with your little brother this |
| 3. I wish I had different parents. | | | | afternoon. No wonder he looks up to you.) |
| I know you love your child. I know you regret criticizing. | | | | Conclusion: 3 Parenting Tips - How to Discipline without |
| And I know you don't want these outcomes for your | | | | Criticism |
| child either. So what can you do instead of criticizing? | | | | Criticism is like course sandpaper scraping away at |
| 3 Parenting Tips - How to Discipline without Criticism: | | | | your child's self esteem. Praise is the flowing of a |
| Because you're a rational person, you can pause and | | | | gentle brook, beautiful to hear and nourishing to your |
| think. Make building character your goal. | | | | child's self esteem. |
| First Parenting Tip - use your rational mind to calm | | | | You have a rational mind. You can turn the sandpaper |
| your feelings about your child's behavior. Tell yourself | | | | into a gentle brook. You can control your feelings. You |
| truthful thoughts like: | | | | have the power to discipline without criticism. You |
| A. She didn't do it just to frustrate me. | | | | know how to praise and build character too. |