Our Most Successful Parenting Trick
My wife Christine and I have tried many different parenting methods over the years with varying degrees of success. But probably the most successful single tactic we've tried has been when we typed out all of the rules--and their appropriate consequences if not followed--and put them up on the wall where the kids could see them. No matter how clear we thought the rules were before we typed them out, they were never so clearly understood as they are now. Here's a practical example of what USED to happen before we typed out these rules: 1. We clearly tell the kids what time they need to be in bed and administered proper discipline when necessary, and it works the first few days. 2. We make a special exception on some given day(s). 3. We are more relaxed about it on some other day (cuz we don't really care to be drill sergeants that day). 4. After the kids start taking advantage of our relaxed attitudes (staying up way too late and dragging out bedtime to be a very lo