Picture this mom and dad:

 

"You are in the store, your child starts to complain. They won't stop whining. You snap and people stare." What do you do?

 

Or try this scene:

 

"It is Saturday afternoon. The kids are bored and starting to fight for their own entertainment. You don't want them watching more television." What do you do?

 

Here's another SAD image:

 

"You are alone at the kitchen table. The kids are at school and you feel like ......well, horrible. Parenting wasn't suppose to be like this was it?" What do you do?

 

The answer is the same. Open your Parenting Toolbox App and get a quick tip on how to manage a crisis, keep the kids busy, or find some positive affirmations.

 

It's all in our Parenting Toolbox App

for your iPhone

CLICK HERE: "Parenting Toolbox for iPhone"

 

or Android Smartphone

CLICK HERE: “Parenting Toolbox for Droid”

 

Check out a sample of the Parenting Tools you could be using NOW!:

CRISIS MANAGMENT TOOLS (sample):

Set Postive Expectations:

Positive Expectations are statements by parents to their children about what is appropriate behavior. The goal of this tool is to teach children what parents want, not what they don't want. For example, telling a child that dirty clothes belong in the laundry basket is different from telling a child to stop leaving their clothes in the middle of the room. Telling a child that feet belong on the floor is different than telling them to take their feet of the table. State what you want, not what you don't want. This avoids children's complaints that you never told them they couldn't put their feet on a different piece of furniture. This tool also increases the feelings of cooperation and respect. Parents who wish to balance love and limits find that in order to get respect, they have to respect their children. Positive expectations decrease defensiveness and increase cooperation. It also eliminates many of the power struggles between parents and children.

Just Wait Them Out:

Wait your child out. If you are in a tough situation with your child, you can wait until your child is ready to cooperate, listen, or stop fighting with a sibling. If you are driving, simply pull over and wait. If you are taking your child to the mall, sit on a chair and read a book. If preparing dinner, sit down and eat yourself. The child can eat too when they able to focus and follow directions. Don't make it a power struggle, just use time as your leverage. 

Give Only Two Choices:

Give your child a choice between two attractive options (for him/her and you) and stick to those two choices. Don't let them go for the third. Repeat the two choices two times. If they don't go with one, make the choice for them. It is becoming a game now and you don't need to give negative attention to the behavior. 

 

KEEP KIDS BUSY (sample):

Use crafts ideas for the holidays. Learn fun ways to build relationship and teach social skills. Open up new ways to communicate. Demonstrate just how "cool" a parent you are when you pull out a new art idea or fun baking project. 

Family Tree Holiday Cards how-to:

Cut out little faces from a photo (would be fun if these were silly faces too), glue them onto paper circles, and glue the circles onto a green paper tree. I spelled out “Happy Holidays” in stickers as well. And of course I glued on a fun yellow pom-pom for the top of the tree. I’m loving the 3D effect for this year, giving our cards that little extra bit of flare...read more in our app.

Pointsettia Paintings:

Every year I create a special project with my fifth graders that make an excellent gift for any grown-up in their life. Who doesn't love a painting of poinsettias? :)  I found the idea for this project several years ago from Arts and Activities. Its pretty straight forward and has a very high success rate....read more in our app.

How to Carve a Pumpkin:

Carving a pumpkin is really pretty easy. With a few short, straight cuts with a knife, you can make triangular eyes, ­a nose and a toothy mouth. The result is a face almost anyone can recognize, even if you just draw it on a piece of paper. It's the face of a jack-o'-lantern...read more in our app.

 

BE AFFIRMED (sample):

Apple Of My Eye:

Parenting Affirmation: My child is the apple of my eye and we complement each other perfectly.

Parenting Action: Take action on this by communicating what you find unique, beautiful and delightful about your child. Show this in action as well as word.

If I Believe in Myself, So Will My Child:

Children take a lot of lifes cues from parents. When you are confident and unafraid, they are confident and unafraid. Conversly, if you get nervous and hesitant in situations, so will they. If you are willing to try new foods, they will be better eaters. If you approach problems with assertiveness and not aggression, so will they, etc. 

Take time to assess your strengths and weaknesses. How might these be influencing your children personalities and approaches to difficult situations. How might you enhance your belief in yourself so you child will too?

Nothing You Do Is Wasted:

 "Nothing you do for children is ever wasted. They seem not to notice us, hovering, averting their eyes, and they seldom offer thanks, but what we do for them is never wasted." - Garrison Keillor 

Grief is a Part of Parenting Too:

Grief and loss is a part of life. Therefore it is a part of parenting too. Unfortunalely marriages break up. Jobs are downsized. We move from childhood homes and friends. When we don't acknowlege our losses, we create different sets of problems. We get sick, irritable and shut ourselves off from others.

 

NEW: EXPERT HELP IN YOUR AREA

Are you offering a parenting class or event in your local area? Tell us about it and we will post it on the Parenting Toolbox App for free. Just send us an email with the details at rehuxley@gmail.com