Parenting Tip #10

Walk the Walk Mister!

Parenting is difficult, almost always a struggle. This is especially true in the early years. Everyone hears from many about the terrible two's or the ferocious three's, but no one can actually prepare you for what those moments will feel like until you are there. Parenting every child is different. Even children from the same family will respond differently which is leaves us parents up for being extra creative.

Here is where the challenge happens! You don't have to automatically resort to physical punishment like spanking to instill a message, especially with young children. Some children will not respond well to time-out and some parents do not always agree with a time-out method. This technique avoids both. Try what we like to call, "Walk the Walk Mister" technique!

Use this with your toddler when they are jumping of the couch, wiggling instead of settling down, talking back and getting fresh, or just need to settle down.

Provide them with a warning, if they continue to do the behavior you are trying to discourage them, let them know they are going to have to walk that energy out. Then follow through.

Let me be clear, we are not talking about strenuous exercise, just a walk around the house, kitchen, up and down the stairs, something where you can monitor them. They may think it is funny at first, but even the strongest willed child will find that 10 laps, walking, not running around the kitchen gets awfully boring. They will soon be yelling that they are tired, their legs hurt, that they need to sit down. We find it is most useful in disciplining physical acts, like jumping of the couch. It is easy for the toddler to understand...they were jumping off the couch when they knew they weren't supposed to be...hence they needed to get all the wiggles and energy out...hence they walk the walk until they can settle down and listen.

Remember, if this technique doesn't work, keep trying! Don't give up, parenting is hard work, but once you find what your child responds to it is consistency that will prevail!