The discussion centered generally on explosive behavior, meltdowns, frustrated behavior, and anxiety, and how parents can handle these big outbursts.
Why is this so important to us?
Because when our kids act out like this we feel completely out of control and that is a bad feeling. We are also concerned about the long term - how they will be as young adults and adults.
Some possible solutions included:
· Give them special alone time (even single kids) - kids want attention and will be glad for any kind of attention
· Keep to a schedule (kids like ritual),
· Model the behavior you want them to have while in the situation (give yourself time out as well, keep calm),
· When addressing anxiety ask our kids what “it” (death, fears etc.) means to them, and talk at their level,
· Give them a chance to calm down before trying to reason with them (“don’t negotiate with terrorists”).
· After things are calm - later same day or next - say “I did not like how that went, next time what do you need from me?” Resources:
· Book: “The Explosive Child.”
ACTION ITEM: The kids learn positive discipline tools at school (zones of behavior, “flipped lid”). We all thought it would be helpful if the parent coordinators for each classroom emailed around that information so that we can all practice those positive discipline techniques more at home. (And print out and place on our fridges).
Why is this so important to us?
Because when our kids act out like this we feel completely out of control and that is a bad feeling. We are also concerned about the long term - how they will be as young adults and adults.
Some possible solutions included:
· Give them special alone time (even single kids) - kids want attention and will be glad for any kind of attention
· Keep to a schedule (kids like ritual),
· Model the behavior you want them to have while in the situation (give yourself time out as well, keep calm),
· When addressing anxiety ask our kids what “it” (death, fears etc.) means to them, and talk at their level,
· Give them a chance to calm down before trying to reason with them (“don’t negotiate with terrorists”).
· After things are calm - later same day or next - say “I did not like how that went, next time what do you need from me?” Resources:
· Book: “The Explosive Child.”
ACTION ITEM: The kids learn positive discipline tools at school (zones of behavior, “flipped lid”). We all thought it would be helpful if the parent coordinators for each classroom emailed around that information so that we can all practice those positive discipline techniques more at home. (And print out and place on our fridges).