Stress-free discipline: simple strategies for handling common behavior problems

Contents     Introduction and Philosophy 1   PART I   Understand Discipline from the Inside Out   1 Decode Your Child's Behavior 9   Most Problem Behavior Is Normal 11   Develop Awareness of Influences That Lead to Bad   (and Good) Behavior 19   Understand Your Child's Motives 23   Behavior = Communication 25   2 Apply Universal Strategies 30   Cultivate a Positive Relationship with a Time-In 32   Role-Model Good Behavior 34   Prioritize Your Absolutes 35   Give Good Directions 36   Enforce Limits and Roles 37   Redirect Your Child's Focus 39   Act Like a Coach 39   Hold Practice Sessions 41   Ignore the Problem Behavior 42   Disengage from Behavior Out of Your Control 44   Yell Sparingly 45   Praise Positive Behavior 46   Offer Positive Reinforcement or Rewards 49   Use Negative Consequences Through Punishment 50   Call a Time-Out 53   Insist on an Apology and Restitution 54   PART II   Dealing with Areas of Common Difficulty   3 Tantrums 59   Understand the Source of Tantrums by Age 60   Manage Contributing Factors 61   Deal with Tantrums 66   Use Coaching and Practice Session Strategies   at the Grocery Store 69   Use Disengaging Strategy 72   Understand the Violent Tantrum 73   Reset a Negative Relationship 74   4 Homework 78   Understand Learning Styles 80   Instill a Motivation for Learning 81   Establish a Process for Working Independently 84   Use Positive Reinforcement 92   Effect of Negative Consequences 93   Avoid Unintended Consequences 95   Work with Your Gifted Child 98   5 Mealtime 101   Manage Mealtime Meltdowns 102   Establish a Mealtime Routine and Use Redirection 104   Institute Rules and Use Reinforcement and Restitution 107   Get Your Children to Eat New Foods 111   Develop Strategies for Eating Out at Restaurants 115   6 Bedtime 119   Your Child's Sleep Is Very Important 120   Use Universal Strategies for Bedtime 123   Contend with Childhood Nightmares 130   7 Attitude 134   Contend with Hot-Button Behaviors and Judgment Calls 135   Understand the Intent Behind Behaviors 139   Use Strategies for Battling Attitude Behaviors 142   PART III   Develop Positive Characteristics   8 Impact Your Child's Social Development   and Peer Influence 153   Promote Positive Social Relationships with Peers 154   Manage Access to Peer Influencers 158   Combat Negative Peer-Group Behaviors 160   Use Strategies When Your Child Has Peer-Group Problems 163   Handle Sibling Rivalry 166   9 Instill Resilience and Grit in Your Child 170   Let Your Child Experience Failure 171   Grit Doesn't Mean Being as Tough as Nails 174   Have Confidence and Use Praise 175   Problem-Solve Like a Role Model 178   Store Up Reserves of Resilience for Challenging Times 179   PART IV   Recognize Red Flags   10 Manage Situations That Increase Family Stress 185   Recognize the Symptoms of Stress 186   Maintain Normalcy 190   Separation or Divorce 191   Long-Distance Parenting 194   Illness 195   Financial Problems 198   Moving to a New Home or School 199   New Baby 201   11 Find Professional Help for Your Family 204   Determine Whom to Turn to for Help 206   How to Decide to Call a Professional 210   Recognize When a Behavior Is a Serious Concern 215   12 Conclusion 218   Index 223