Tips to Staying the Parent

A lot of parents are having trouble keeping their children under wraps. Just recently I was at my local Costco and I saw this parent yelling at his three year old at the top of his lungs because he wouldn't listen to him. If you discipline your kids well at home there should not be a problem when you have to take them out.

Tips to Staying the Parent:

1. Try to give your child a reward system. It is alright if the reward system are chores because then you can get two things done at once. Have a chart on the fridge and every time they finish a chore give them a reward. It doesn't have to be an immediate reward but make sure that you give a reward at the end of the week of the end of the day. Make sure that you establish a specific date so that you don't forget, and then they stop doing their chores because they know that you don't pull your end of the deal. Kids do think about these things and they are well aware when you don't follow through with something.

2. Make sure that your kids know that there is a time a place for them to speak. This might sound a little rough but it's true. When another adult comes over and you are having a conversation its rude for your child to come in and start talking. It might be cute at the moment but it won't be cute when they start getting older and start talking about more embarrassing things, or start making rude comments. Then your guests wont think its very cute, and they will just think that you are a bad parent (when that's not the case).

3. Punish your kids. If they don't do their chores make sure that they know they have to finish their chore, and on top of that they don't get their reward.

4. Scheduling is everything when you have kids. The more they stay on a schedule the more they know exactly what needs to be done in order for thing to run smoothly. If they have soccer/ballet practice after school than as soon as they get home they have to finish their homework because dinner is at six and they have family time after, and then bed. Make sure your kids keep up with their homework. It is part of being a good parent.

5. Another important thing to keep in mind is not to tell your kids to do something when you don't even do it. The last thing that you need them to say is, "well why do I have to do it if you don't." The answer is obvious, it's because you're the parent but you want to avoid this statement at all costs.