Develop Effective Resistance Skills with Kids at Home and in the Community

Are you a parent or someone who works with or comes into contact with kids in your community? If either situation applies to you, it is imperative to know how to handle the kids and steer them the right way. You will learn how to develop constructive resistance skills with children at home and in the community.

First Method: You must learn how to say no. There are times when it is imperative to say no to a kid who wants something, especially when now is not the right time or the kid wants to do something inappropriate.

Second Method: It is important to be firm. If you say no to something you are adamant about and they press you, it would be a good idea for you to reply, "Because I said so."

Third Method: You cannot permit sneakiness. For example, if they sign you up or make an arrangement for you to do something behind your back, you must turn them down in order to teach them a lesson. If they tell a buddy you will drive both of them to the mall today without you agreeing to it in advance, you must tell them to forget it while not giving into the temptation to say, "Okay, I'll do it this time but never again."

Fourth Method: It is crucial to start them out on the right track. You must teach them right from wrong.

Fifth Method: You must dissuade them from getting into the bad stuff. You must tell them to resist joining gangs, resorting to violence, committing crime, hanging out with the wrong people, drinking alcohol, messing with drugs and smoking.

Sixth Method: You must avoid getting into a power struggle with them. You should neither argue with them nor try to physically remove them from the premises.

Seventh Method: It is necessary to establish you are in charge. You must remain firm and rarely leave room for compromise.

Eighth Method: You must remain in physical and emotional control. No matter how angry you might become at them, you must resist the urge to attack them.

Ninth Method: Do you pass out treats on Halloween Day? If so, you should give each kid the same amount of candy and resist giving extra pieces to any kid who asks for more.

Use these ideas to develop constructive resistance skills with children at home and in the community!