Tip 102 – Be future oriented. Always be on the lookout for how to be prepared for what’s ahead with your child.

The idea behind preparing is having your upcoming activities run as smoothly as possible. Accidents happen, mistakes occur, and all kinds of mix-ups take place; but fewer of all these show up when you have taken precautions.

This is the first of three pillars to help you be prepared. Use all current information to get ready for new ones. As you become more and more proactive (instead of reactive), you will notice that you will be leaving more and more chaos behind you.

Rules… systems… order… expectations… schedules!

These are your helpers. Create them to fit your needs and then rely on them.

Here are some examples of Problematic Past Situations that can easily be turned into Successful New Ones

Problematic Past

Requiring your child to sit and listen for a long period of time in a church, temple, concert, or play.

Successful New

Planning frequent breaks for your child when it is necessary for him or her to be in one place for a long period of time.

Problematic Past

Requiring your child to complete a task perfectly such as doing a puzzle or coloring in the lines.

Successful New

Setting up open-ended play activities for your child with craft materials, blocks, dolls, bubbles, play dough, sand, water, odds and ends from around the house and much more.

Problematic Past

Using vague generalizations with your child like “Clean up your room.”

Successful New

Giving specific directions to your child like “Put your clothes in your drawers” and “Arrange the books on the shelf.”

 

June! The Month of the Dads

Rules… systems… order… expectations… schedules!

Do your best to support those that are already in place for your child. Then do what you can to make new ones of your own. These are your “best buddies” when it comes to discipline, starting new activities, ending old ones, and just plain having fun with your son or daughter.

I very much hope you had a wonderful Father’s Day and that you now have some new special memories to reflect on and enjoy. As already mentioned, keep the holiday spirit going as much as you can all month long. Dad time with children is always important.

Once again, I refer you to this new book by Hogan Hilling and Al Watts Dads Behaving Dadly: 67 Truths, Tears and Triumphs of Modern Fatherhood. You will find story after story in this book about how dad time makes a big difference in the lives of children.

~ Dr. Sally 

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