How Can I Teach My Children to Behave?
Here are some smart tips
for helping your children
to behave:
- Set rules that fit your children’s ages. Even young children can learn simple rules like “Don’t hit.”
- When your children are doing something wrong, stop them. Then show them the right thing to do.
- When your children do the right thing, praise them. Tell them when they are doing a good job. Tell them you like it when they follow the rules.
Sometimes your children don’t behave. But you should never hit or shake a child of any age. It is dangerous! Give a “time-out” instead:
- Warn your child. For instance: “If you take your sister’s toy again, you’ll get a time-out.”
- If he takes his sister’s toy again, stay calm. Put him in a chair in a safe place with no toys or TV. Leave him there for a few minutes.
- Give him a time-out whenever he takes a toy from his sister.
You love your children. But sometimes you might feel like you can’t control your anger. When you get angry, try to:
- Take a deep breath. Count to 20.
- Splash cool water on your face.
- Find someone you trust to watch your children. Then leave the room or take a short walk.
If you’re worried you might hurt
your children, call your doctor now.
Or call a hotline, such as
