Modeling, Modeling, Modeling - “We must become the people we want our children to be.” Chilton Pearce. 95% of what children learn is from what we model.
Children deserve to be treated with respect, even if it isn't always mutual.
Be Calm. No Yelling. When giving choices it is important for the parent to communicate no emotion in their voice. State the choices and consequences very “matter of factly.”
Be consistent and predictable. Never threaten or promise to do something that you can’t or won’t really do. Always follow through with the consequence or reward you said they would get. Never let them talk you out of or into something.
Children should earn privileges, not rewards.
Discipline should be assertive, not aggressive.
Discipline should be instilled with confidence, not emotion.
Discipline should be used to teach, not to control.
Parents should use every opportunity to teach life-skills, coping-skills, and social-skills to their children.
Parents should establish an open line of communication with their children, being approachable to even the most difficult of topics or issues.
Play with your kids. Children learn social skills, manners, sharing, and much more through playing with their parents. They also get a need for attention filled which will reduce the amount of whining and begging for attention later. Try to take at least 10 minutes a day to play with your child. Give them the undivided attention they deserve and crave from you.