TV and Electronics Addiction

There are some behavior problems that almost every child exhibits at one time or another. Matching those behaviors to the best discipline strategies can resolve these behaviors before they become even bigger problems.

TV and Electronics Addiction

Many children in today’s world would sit in front of the TV or a video game system all day if they could. However, it’s not healthy for them physically or mentally.

Getting them to play outside or get involved in other activities can seem like a battle at first.

However, it’s important to establish healthy habits for them during childhood that will carry over into their adult lives.

Although unlimited time with electronics may keep your child quiet, too much screen time isn't good for kids. But setting limits on how much TV your child watches or how many video games he plays isn't always easy in today's screen-filled world. 

Here are 10 tips that will help you limit your child's screen time to a reasonable, healthy amount.

1. Model Healthy Electronic Use

It’s important to role model the behavior you want to see from your kids.

So before you binge watch your favorite Netflix series, remember that it's important to set a good example. Keeping the TV on for background noise all the time or scrolling through your phone any time you have a spare minute teaches your child bad habits.

2. Educate Yourself on Electronics

Today’s kids are technologically savvy. Most of them know more about electronics than adults do. that's why it's essential for you to stay up-to-date on the latest cell phone app or the newest social media craze.

You can't teach your child about the dangers of social networking, unless you know what the dangers are. And you can't prevent him from playing violent video games if you don't understand the rating. Make it a priority to learn about electronics and how they're affecting children.

3. Create “Technology-Free Zones”

Establish zones in your house where you just don’t allow electronics, like smartphones and laptops.

For example, the dining room can be a great technology-free zone that is reserved for meals and family conversation.

4. Set Aside Times to Unplug

Set aside times for the entire family to become unplugged from technological devices. For example, the dinner hour or an hour before bedtime can be great times for the entire family to have quality time together without TV, video games and computers.

5. Use Parental Controls

Protect kids from explicit content on TV and online. Use parental controls that allow you to monitor what your children are viewing on TV and what they’re doing online.

6. Talk to Kids About the Dangers

It’s important for kids to have a good understanding about the risks of too much screen time. Kids who understand, “It’s not healthy to watch too much TV,” are less likely to try and break the rules compared to kids who think, “I can't watch TV because my parents are mean.”

In an age appropriate manner, explain how violent video games, movies and images can be harmful to kids. Also, discuss potential dangers of online predators. Discuss how you can work together as a family to reduce potential risks.

7. Obtain Your Child’s Passwords

Depending on your child’s age and your values, it may make sense to obtain your child’s passwords to any social media accounts or online accounts. It can also be important to establish rules about social media and what services you’ll allow your child to participate in.

Many children lack the maturity needed to handle online problems, such as cyber bullying. It’s important  to really take responsibility for helping your child stay safe if he's using social media.

8. Encourage Other Activities

Kids easily grow dependent on technology for entertainment. Encourage your children to become involved with other activities and to develop other interests outside of video games and social media.

9. Use Screen Time as a Privilege

Screen time should be a privilege and not a right. Take away privileges, such as TV time or computer use, as a negative consequence. Once you’ve set a limit on how much screen time is allowed, don’t allow kids to earn extra time as a reward. Instead, stick to the daily limit and offer other free or low cost rewards.

10. Don’t Allow Screen Media in Your Child’s Bedroom

It’s impossible to monitor a child’s screen media use if it’s allowed in the bedroom. Don’t allow your child to have a TV, video game system or computer in his room. This includes hand-held devices that many children use late at night, which can interfere with their sleep.


You will also like to see:

1.  Disrespectful Behavior

2.   Lying

3.  Confident social behavior (DO or Don`ts)

4.   Defiance And Non Compliance

5.   Child Developement


6.   Baby Psychology Tips

Disrespectful Behavior

Disrespectful Behavior

Disrespectful behavior can frustrate even the calmest of parents. If it’s not addressed appropriately, disrespect can get worse through the years. The way you respond to behaviors such as talking back, inappropriate language, and attitude problems will discourage your child from doing it again.

Making faces, rolling her eyes, or saying, "Whatever Mom!" are just a few of the behaviors you might see from a mildly disrespectful child. On the more serious end of the spectrum, disrespectful children tend to swear, call people names, and become physically aggressive.

No matter where your child falls on the spectrum, it's important to address disrespectful behavior fast. The research is clear - disrespectful children turn into disrespectful adults.

Don't excuse disrespect by saying things like, "Well kids will be kids." Offering excuses only allows your child's rude behavior to continue.

Instead, step in and teach your child more socially appropriate ways to interact with others. Here are the most effective discipline techniques to curb disrespectful behavior fast:

1. Ignore Attention Seeking Behavior

Ignoring mild misbehavior can sometimes be one of the most effective negative consequences. That doesn't mean you're going to let your child get away with acting out, however. But it does mean you aren't going to give your child negative attention.

If you tell your child to clean his room, and he rolls his eyes, don't engage in a lengthy argument over his disrespectful behavior. Each minute you spend engaged in a power struggle is 60 seconds he'll put off cleaning his room. Paying too much attention to mild disrespect can backfire and lead to even bigger behavior problems.

Place the emphasis on the positive behavior by pointing out respectful behavior. Praise your child for behaving respectfully by saying things like, “Thanks for getting ready for dinner with such a good attitude.”

If you decide to have a conversation with your child about his disrespect, do so when you're calm.

Point out the problematic behavior by saying something such as, “When I told you to clean your room today you rolled your eyes at me. That’s disrespectful.” Explain the natural consequences for disrespectful behavior such as, “Disrespectful children often have trouble making friends."

2. Grandma’s Rule of Discipline

Grandma’s rule can be a great way to curb disrespectful behavior fast. Make it clear that your child will earn more privileges by behaving in a respectful manner.

Say something such as, “When you lower your voice and talk calmly, I’ll answer you,” or “I’ll help you pick up the toys when you stop being bossy.” Teach your child that polite and kind behavior will lead to positive results.

3. Use An If…Then Warning

Use an, “if…then,” statement to warn your child what will happen if the behavior doesn’t change. Say, “If you don’t stop interrupting when I’m on the phone then you’ll need to go to your room.”

This gives your child an opportunity to change his behavior around. Just make sure you're fully prepared to follow through with a negative consequence if he doesn't comply.

4. Provide a Negative Consequence

Moderate or serious disrespectful behavior requires an immediate negative consequence. If your teen walks out the door after you’ve told him he can’t leave, take away his privileges.

Time-out can be an effective negative consequence for young children. Logical consequences can be an effective for older children and teens.

5. Restitution

If your child or teen behaves disrespectful manner, restitution may be necessary to discourage it from happening again. If he hits his brother, make him do his brother's chores. Or, if your teen breaks something out of anger, make him fix it or pay to get it fixed.

Teach your child that saying, “I’m sorry,” doesn’t always fix things. Restitution will help him take responsibility for his disrespectful behavior while also working to repair the relationship.


You will also like to see:

1.  Whining

2.    Lying

3.   Confident social behavior (DO or Don`ts)

4.    Defiance And Non Compliance

5.    Child Developement

6.    Baby Psychology Tips

Whining

Whining

Whining is a behavior that can become a terribly bad habit for a child, especially if it is an effective means for getting him what he wants. Whining can have a lot of social consequences for children, however.

A child who whines is likely to have peer-related issues because other kids won’t want to put up with it.

Teachers and other caregivers may also not take kindly to a child who whines frequently. Put an end to whining quickly and teach your child more appropriate ways to deal with upsetting feelings such as disappointment.

Whining is an annoying, yet common behavior problem in children. Without appropriate intervention, a whiny kid might turn into a whiny adult.

Take steps to curb whining and prevent it from becoming a bad habit for your child.

1. Establish a Household Rule about Whining

Establish a household rule about whining, such as, “Ask nicely for something and accept the answer calmly.” This helps kids understand that their attempts to change your mind won’t be effective.

Make sure other caregivers are on the same page when it comes to whining. If your spouse or a grandparent gives in to whining, it will undermine your rule.

2. Provide a Warning

Sometimes whining becomes a bad habit for kids and they don’t realize they’re doing it. Provide one warning by saying, “No whining,” or, “Remember, we don’t whine at our house.” This can help make your child more aware that begging, pleading and asking repeatedly constitute whining.

3. Remain Calm and Don’t Give In

Listening to a child whine can sound worse than nails on a chalkboard. However, it’s important to remain calm. Take deep breaths, leave the room, or put on some music if it will help you remain calm.

Whatever you do, don’t give in. If out of frustration you end up saying, “Fine, have another cookie!” you’ll have taught your child that whining is an effective way to get what he wants. Avoid providing any type of positive reinforcement that may encourage your child to whine in the future.

4. Ignore Whining

Attention in any form, even if it is negative attention, can encourage the behavior continue. Ignoring attention-seeking behavior, such as whining, is an effective form of behavior modification.

If your child begins whining when you tell him to pick up his toys, and you keep talking to him while he whines, you’re reinforcing the behavior.

Giving him attention encourages the whining to continue. Also, the longer he engages you in a conversation, the longer he can delay picking up the toys.

Ignoring means you’ll need to pretend as if you can’t hear the whining at all. Go about your normal business and try to tune out the whining. Be prepared, however, because it’s likely that your child may begin to whine louder when he sees that you aren’t responding.

Continue ignoring until the behavior stops. Eventually, your child will recognize that it isn’t working. Just make sure that you don’t give in at any point or you’ll have likely made the behavior worse.

5. Provide Positive Attention When the Behavior Stops

As soon as the whining stops, provide your child with positive attention. Praise your child by saying something such as, “I like the way you are playing quietly right now!” Give lots of positive attention to the good behavior and it will encourage your child to seek attention in positive ways.

6. Prevent Whining in the Future

Give your child the skills he needs to handle frustration, disappointment and sadness without whining to prevent him from doing it in the future.

Teach your child about feelings so he can recognize how he feels and help him learn how to deal with upsetting feelings.

For example, if he is angry that you said he can’t go outside to play, help him learn how to deal with those angry feelings by coloring a picture or doing jumping jacks. Teach coping skills that will help your child deal with his feelings in a positive way.

Teach your child problem-solving skills as well. If your child is sad because your trip to the beach got canceled because it is raining, help him find an indoor activity. Teach him how to solve problems on his own so he can deal with problems without whining.


You will also like to see:

1.  Disrespectful Behavior

2.    Lying

3.   Confident social behavior (DO or Don`ts)

4.    Defiance And Non Compliance

5.    Child Developement


6.    Baby Psychology Tips

Lying

There are some behavior problems that almost every child exhibits at one time or another. Matching those behaviors to the best discipline strategies can resolve these behaviors before they become even bigger problems.

Lying

Sometimes kids tell stories to get attention, while at other times they lie to avoid getting into trouble. If lies aren’t addressed appropriately, lying can turn into a bad habit for your child.

When you catch your child in a lie, respond in a calm but direct manner and encourage your child to tell the truth.

1. Establish a Household Rule about Telling the Truth

Create a clear household rule that stresses the importance of telling the truth.

This will ensure that your children understand your expectations and values about honesty.

2. Role Model Honesty

Role model the behavior you want to see from your child--that means telling the truth all the time. Kids can’t distinguish “little white lies” from other lies.

So don’t lie about your child's age to get him the cheaper meal at a restaurant. Your child will imitate what he watches you do.

3. Talk about Telling the Truth Versus Telling a Lie

No matter how old your child is, it’s important to explain the difference between telling the truth versus telling a lie. With young children, it can be helpful to say things like, "If I said the sky were purple, would that be the truth or a lie?" Talk about the potential consequences of being dishonest.

It's equally important to talk about telling the truth versus being brutally honest. Kids need to learn that they don’t necessarily need to announce, “That’s an ugly shirt,” just because it’s honest.

Balancing honesty with compassion is a sophisticated social skill that you should start teaching early.

4. Distinguish the Reason for the Lie

There are three main reasons kids lie; fantasy, bragging, or to prevent negative consequences. When you distinguish the likely reason for the lie, it can help you develop a plan to respond to it.

Preschoolers often tell fantasy lies. If your child says, “I flew to Disney World this morning,” ask, “Is that something that’s really true? Or something you wish was true?” This can help kids understand the difference between reality and make believe.

If a child lies because he’s bragging, it may be that he has low self-esteem or wants to gain attention. He may benefit from learning new social skills and from engaging in positive activities to boost his self-esteem.

All kids lie to get out of trouble sometimes. It’s important that their lies aren’t successful. Instead, make it clear to kids that you will be double-checking the facts.

5. Give One Warning

Give kids one warning when you are fairly confident you caught them in a lie. For example, say, “I’ll give you one more chance to tell me what happened. If I catch you lying, you will receive an extra consequence.”

6. Give an Extra Consequence

Give your child an extra consequence when you catch him lying. Instead of just taking away his electronics for the day, give him extra chores to do as well.

Take away privileges or use restitution as a consequence for telling a lie.

7. Discuss Natural Consequences

Talk to your child about the natural consequences of lying. Explain that dishonesty will make it hard for you to believe him, even when he’s telling the truth.

8. Provide Positive Reinforcement for Honesty

Catch your child telling the truth and provide positive reinforcement. Praise him by saying, “I know that must have been hard to tell me that you broke that dish, but I’m so glad that you chose to be honest about it.”

9. Help Your Child Re-Establish Trust

If your child has a bad habit of lying, develop a plan to help him re-establish trust. Consider establishing a behavior contract that will help you know when he’s ready for more privileges based on his willingness to be honest.

10. Seek Professional Help

There are times when lying can be a big problem for children. If your child’s lying seems to be pathological, or it causes problems for your child at school or with peers, seek professional help to address his lying.

You will also like to see:

1.  Disrespectful Behavior

2.   Whining

3.   Confident social behavior (DO or Don`ts)

4.    Defiance And Non Compliance

5.    Child Developement

6.    Baby Psychology Tips

confident social Behavior ( Do Or Donts For Parents)

Children learn by watching the people around them. Parents that means you! With time, your ability to approach others and put them at ease can help to put your child at ease, too.

  Do . . .

• Go first in social situations. Be the first person to say "Hi," to introduce yourself or to strike up conversations.
• Make a list of the kinds of things you would like your child to feel comfortable doing (e.g., talking with other children, asking for help from store clerks, making phone calls, etc) and make a point of doing these things in front of your child.
• Be friendly. Routinely smile, say high and greet the people you see as you go through your day.
• Compliment others often. Notice what you like about people (friends, family and strangers alike). Tell a stranger you like their hat or a friend how wonderful their dinner was.
• Make an effort to help other people when you see they are in need. Open doors for people, pick things up when people drop them or offer to carry things for friends.
• Role model taking risks and learning from them. Help your children learn by making positive comments about how you felt while you did things. Things like: "I thought that would be harder than it was." "That wasn't much fun, but I'm glad I did it and got it out of the way. At least now I don't have to worry about it." Or, "That didn't go as well as I thought it would, but at least I know what to do next time."
• Enroll in social skills classes and let your children know that you're going. Bring back the things you learn from class and share them with your family and friends. I routinely encourage parents (shy or not) who take my social skills classes to practice their new found handshake, conversation and introduction skills with their children, friends and family. Don't be surprised if your new skills make great party conversation, too. Most people struggle with social skills and are eager learn what you know so they can try it out themselves. Show your children that learning new skills from a class is a good thing.

       Don't . . .

• Cross the street to avoid people you are too nervous to see.
• Embarrass your child in public.
• Criticize people in public.
• Berate yourself for having failed when you try things and they don't turn out the way you would like.
• Berate your children when they make a mistake.

You will also like to see:

1.  Disrespectful Behavior

2.    Whining

3.   Confident social behavior (DO or Don`ts)

4.    Defiance And Non Compliance

5.    Child Developement


6.    Baby Psychology Tips 

Defiance And Non Compliance

There are some behavior problems that almost every child exhibits at one time or another. Matching those behaviors to the best discipline strategies can resolve these behaviors before they become even bigger problems.

Defiance

It’s frustrating when a child refuses to follow directions, especially when he outright says “No!” when you tell him to do something. However, it’s normal for kids to test limits at one time or another. Sometimes defiance stems from a child testing your reaction, while other defiant behaviors may signal a child’s attempts to assert his independence. Preschoolers and tweens are especially likely to behave defiantly.

It's like that at one point or another, every child has looked at his parents and said, "No!" when he's been told to do something. And at certain points throughout your child's development, non-compliance can be appropriate.

When your child tests limits or asserts himself, he's trying to be more independent. And while budding independence is healthy, an outright refusal to listen isn't. 

The way you respond to a child’s defiance can either increase or decrease the likelihood that he’ll behave defiantly the next time you tell him to do something.

Whether your child says, "You can't make me!” when you tell him to pick up his toys, or he simply pretends he can't hear you when you tell him it's time to come inside, take action that will motivate him to start listening better.

1. Give Daily Doses of Positive Attention

Sometimes, children misbehave in an attempt to gain a parent’s attention, even if it is negative attention. Providing a child with just a few minutes of individual attention each day can often reduce non-compliance.

2. Praise Compliant Behavior

It’s important to offer praise when you catch your child being good. Provide your child with extra opportunities to comply with simple requests for the sole purpose of being able to offer him praise.

For example, at the dinner table, ask, “Please hand me a napkin,” and as soon as he does praise him by saying, “Thanks for handing me that napkin right when I asked you to.” This will begin sending the message that you appreciate compliance.

3. Give Effective Instructions

Make sure the defiant behavior you’re witnessing is actually defiance. For example, if you yell from the kitchen to tell your child to come to the dinner table, he might not have heard you. Give effective instructions by establishing eye contact and ensuring your child understands the directions.

Sometimes children are too tuned into the TV or the activity they’re participating in to really absorb what you’re saying. Eliminate any distractions before giving them instructions. This is especially important with children who have ADHD(

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder )

.

4. Offer Choices

One of the best ways to combat defiant behavior is to offer two choices. For example, ask a child, “Do you want to wear the red boots or the brown shoes?” By offering a choice, defiant children get a little bit of control they crave. Just make sure you can live with either choice.

5. Grandma’s Rule of Discipline

Grandma’s rule of discipline can be one of the best ways to encourage compliance. Give your child an incentive to follow directions by saying something such as, “Pick up the toys first, then you can go play outside.” Don’t nag or ask repeatedly but instead, leave it up to your child to do what you’ve said.

6. Create a Reward System

Reward systems encourage more compliant behavior. Token economy systems can be very effective with children who tend to be defiant.

They often respond well to positive reinforcement for their good behavior.

7. Behavior Contracts

Behavior contracts remind children that they can earn more privileges once they show they can behave responsibly. Set up a behavior contract that will help your child show you when he’s ready for more privileges. For example, agree to allow him to stay up 15 minutes later after he can go to bed on time for one week without arguing.

8. Avoid Power Struggles

Avoid getting into a power struggle with a child who is non-compliant. It will only make the defiance worse. Instead, use a warning such as an if…then statement to turn the behavior around. Offer one warning only and follow through with consequences when necessary.

9. Logical Consequences

Each instance of non-compliance should be addressed with a negative consequence. Time-out, or a logical consequence, such as a loss of privileges, can be effective ways to discourage defiance. Consistent discipline is the key to reducing defiant behavior.

10. Seek Professional Help

Although extreme defiance can signal a more serious problem, such as oppositional defiant disorder, occasional defiance and non-compliance are normal child behavior problems. If you are concerned that your child may have a more serious problem, or if your discipline strategies aren’t working, talk to your child's pediatrician.

You will also like to see:

1.  Disrespectful Behavior

2.    Lying

3.   Confident social behavior (DO or Don`ts)

4.    whining

5.    Child Developement


6.    Baby Psychology Tips

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