Archives for January 2007

Respond quickly: Try not to wait for your children to yank each other’s hair for the third time before reproaching them with an "Okay, that's enough." They need to know immediately when they’ve crossed the line. If they are really angry, you might send them to their room to cool off before talking to each of them. Or try reducing your kids’ allowance by a dollar or the TV time … [Read more...] about What a father can do about aggression

All fathers know that kids experience some angry outbursts and even the occasional tantrum during the early elementary years. But by now, most children have outgrown the hitting and pushing that go hand-in-hand with toddlerhood, preschool, and even kindergarten. That's because they have developed the language skills they need to express themselves with words instead of fists or … [Read more...] about Why children can get so aggressive

As much as you want a father want his children to love each other, he can't mandate it. Their feelings are their business — the only thing you can try to exert some control over is their behavior.   As a father, you can start by making it clear to them that no matter how they feel about each other, they must tolerate and treat each other … [Read more...] about More advice on Quarreling

Fathers often tend to forget that no single child can run you constantly ragged (after all, he has to sleep sometime!) but two children can — and often do.   A lot of parents say that the worst part of having two kids is the sheer amount of noise they make. Not the loud voices, wild games, or blaring toys, but the particular, maddening sound of children squabbling. … [Read more...] about Constant Quarreling – What is a father to do?

Fathers may find it useful to simply ask the kids about how the problem might be solved together. Would it help to put out the school clothes out the night before? Do the children need to get up 20 minutes earlier? Should a timer be set ten minutes before they have to walk out the door?   Just be sure they understand that while you're willing to work with them, it's … [Read more...] about More practical tips for speeding up your dawdlers