Show Your Preschooler Who’s the Boss

If your child is hitting you, saying he hates you or telling you not to look at him you have a problem. This is how a feisty toddler uses rejection to control you.

If you have displayed any type of softness at all towards your toddler they know they can manipulate you emotionally. It is usually to get out of doing what is asked or to get their own way. It is astounding how very young children can learn this trick as well.

If you want to change behavior start by ignoring your child's statements while maintaining your usual expectation that the child must do as he or she is told. Don't discuss what the child is doing as it only reinforces the behavior. If your kid talks back to you or makes demands do not answer back. The key is to not get caught up in your child's wave of negativity. Keep your attention on directing your child back to task.

If your kid does start behaving well try to give him or her all kinds of positive attention. This is also a good time to tell the kid you love him or her. If you submit the child willed up being the boss and not you.

If your child hits you should never ever hit back. Give the kid a time out instead. In a firm but quiet voice say, 'no hitting.' Then take your kid quietly by the forearm and lead him or her to a step or a chair. Make him or her sit there for five or ten seconds more.

If your child is used to be in control of you and if you start to turn things around then be prepared for protesting. Your child will not like losing control of you. Our child will try harder to get you to submit to their will. They may tell you louder that they don't love you, they may it harder and they may scream and throw a tantrum.

You child will protest and insult you and even get violent. Do not give in. Giving in while this going on can make everything worse. If your child is screaming and yelling while in a time out then watch form a distance. Ignore it until it is settled. This can take great patience but it is worth it when the child finally behaves.

The only time you should intervene is if the kid is going to hurt him or herself in order to get attention. If this is the case it may be time to seek professional help.

Parenting Tips
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Should You Spy On Your Kid’s FB or Myspace Page

Should you look at your kids's facebook or myspace page? They say that ignorance is bliss. If you do peek you really might learn something about your child that you would rather not know.

Before you take a peek you better have a good reason for invading your child's privacy. Many psychologists feel that teens need their own space within which to learn about processing their feelings and act out their own little dramas. It is not always necessary for you to be involved in these matters. Allowing them to express their own conflicts is part of the maturation process.

Of course it is hard to think of yourself as 'snooping' when these pages are very private. The justification in a parent's head is 'Why shouldn't I look if everyone else is…?'

Think of it this way. Would you like it if your kids were looking at your page? Most psychologists don't recommend snooping. Nothing builds responsibility and accountability in a child more than being trusted to figure out things on one's own. Your child must know that it is okay to make a mistake or two.

Still the other side of the argument is that these sites are social networking sites for adults and kids just happen to be on them. That is why these sites pose so many risks for teenagers.

Keep in mind that there is a fine line between taking a peek at someone's site and spying. It also may be hard not to become obsessed by what you see on some of these sites. It is just the nature of 'the beast.'

However there are some times in life when it is okay to spy. For instance if you expect our child is engaged in dangerous behaviors or relationships and you are having difficulty asserting your rightful parental control. If you feel your child's welfare is in danger it is definitely time to take charge. This is true if you think your child is at all involved in drug abuse, an abusive relationship, self-mutilation, drugs, pornography or anything else. In that case make sure you snoop in your kid's room, backpack, cell phone records and internet profiles in an effort to help him or her!

If you just casually want to take a look at the page all you have o do is make an appointment with your child to look at it. This shows your child that you have some respect for him or her even though he or she might be very irritated that you had to ask at all!

Parenting Tips
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