By Estalyn Walcoff

1. Recommended books: Backtalk: Four Steps to Ending Rude Behavior, by A. Ricker Children: the Challenge. by Rudopf Dreikurs

2. Create a foundation of written down expectations (chores, etc.) and behavior not permitted.

3. Implement with praise, rewards, and consequences.

4. FOLLOW THROUGH.

5. Forgive yourself when you blow it. (not following through.)

6. Apologize if you feel you’ve done something wrong (eg. Yell, hit, whatever your values are.)

7. SPEND ONE-ON-ONE TIME WITH YOUR KIDS (to the extent that they let you.) KEEP TRYING ON THIS ONE, OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

8. Praise them at least once a day.

9. CATCH THEM BEING GOOD AND TELL THEM YOU’VE NOTICED.

10. As parents, STAND UNITED. Kids feel safer when they can’t play one against the other.

11. If your rules differ from other parents’ rules, listen to your heart. Your main focus should be “Are my kids going to be safe?)

12. Remember: “This too will end.”