Children tattle for the same reasons adults do — to exert power, to boost self-esteem, or just to get attention. "Tattling allows a child to one-up another child, to gain favor in the eyes of his parent or teacher," says Jerry Wyckoff, a child psychologist in Prairie Village, Kan., and the author of How to Discipline Your 6- to 12-Year-Old ... Without Losing Your Mind. … [Read more...] about No one likes a tattletale
Kids
Cut the back talk!
Often enough, "When a child talks back, what he's really expressing is anger, frustration, fear, or hurt," says Jane Nelsen, author of Positive Discipline. Of course, it's hard for a father not to respond punitively to back talk. A wiser course of action, though, is to try to get to the bottom of what's eating your children and teach them to express it in a more … [Read more...] about Cut the back talk!
Stop that swearing!
At a certain age, your children have figured out that there are words so mean and powerful that grownups usually reserve them for really frustrating moments. What's more, kids are beginning to develop sexual awareness and may use foul language to fit in with their peers. It is better if fathers learn to stop their children’s swearing by nipping it in the bud. … [Read more...] about Stop that swearing!
The Clash of Siblings
As a father of older kids, you're probably no stranger to sibling rivalry. As your children enter the early elementary years, you may be watching them enter a new phase of rivalry. The truth is, some brothers and sisters bicker their whole lives, so accept the fact that a certain level of background noise is unavoidable. On the other hand, it's high time to teach your children … [Read more...] about The Clash of Siblings
The Nose Pickers
Nose-picking is mostly known as a "nervous habit" — a category that includes thumb sucking, nail biting, hair twisting, and tooth grinding — nose picking isn't necessarily a sign that your child is overly anxious. Kids usually pick their nose because it has something in it that doesn't feel right. Remedying dehydration or congestion is the surest way to stop nose … [Read more...] about The Nose Pickers