A COMMON MISTAKE MANY PARENTS MAKE

Angry Child?
Fix the Behavior, Not the Feelings
by James Lehman, MSW
Father and Son

A common mistake many parents make is to assume that since their child’s behavior is connected to their feelings, fixing the feelings will fix the behavior. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. It’s critical for parents to understand that processing your child’s feelings while they are happening is not constructive. Children become overwhelmed with emotions, and by the time they’re feeling angry or resentful, you’re already way into a negative situation. The time to teach kids about fire safety is not when the curtains are burning. In the same way, appropriate behavior is best learned before the crisis.
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EP Consequences Story
Contest Winners
by Elisabeth Wilkins, EP Editor and PSL Staff
Father and Son

This week, check out our third and fourth place winners in our Consequences Story Contest. You’ll hear from Shelly, who’s figured out how to deal with her son on the days he gets sent home from school, and Michelle, a mom who used consequences and stopped yelling at her kids. Bravo to both of you!
Click here to see winner's list


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Effective Consequences Story Contest
Win Our New Consequences DVD!
Blog for Empowering Parents

There are moments when we hit it right as parents: when we stick to our guns, choose the right consequence for our kid’s behavior, and find that it actually works. It’s not easy to always get a bulls-eye, but we sure remember the moments we do! Empowering Parents wants to hear about your best use of consequences with a child, whether you’re a parent, teacher, grandparent or relative. We’re looking for creativity, consistency and good advice. Besides helping other parents, your story could be published in Empowering Parents alongside articles by James Lehman and Dr. Bob Myers. You’ll also win a free Complete Guide to Consequences program, because, let’s face it, very few of us always get it right! (Plus, everyone who enters is eligible to win the program via a drawing that will be conducted on August 4, 2008.)

* Contest Rules: 1,000 words maximum
* Enter by July 29, 2008
* Winners will be notified by August 5th
* 1st through 5th place will win the new “Complete Guide to Consequences” DVD by James Lehman. (Another 5 winners will be chosen by random drawing on August 4th.)

Send all entries to: editor@empoweringparents.com

BULLYING IT AIN'T JUST FOR BIG KIDS NOW!

EP IS LOOKING FOR EMPOWERING PARENTS

DON'T SLAM THE DOORAND OTHER WORDS OF WISDOM