-         “What was the best thing that happened to u today?”

-         “Who did u sit with at lunch today?”

-         “Did u meet anyone new today?”

-         “Tell me 3 adjectives that describe your day today.”

-         “Did anyone do anything kind for u today?”

-         “If u were writing a newspaper article about your day today, what would your headline be?”

-         “If you could invent something that makes your life easier, what would u make?”

-         “If you could be an athlete in the Olympics, what event would u compete in?”

-         “What makes u feel good about yourself?”

-         “Say one compliment to someone in the family.”

-         “What is the most important trait in a good friend?”

-         “Was anyone suspended today?”

 

Every school, every neighborhood has issues.  What are your child’s schools issues?

Don’t forget to ask your child about the bad behaviors going on in school and the neighborhood.  The best way to have a child give details about the bad things going on at parties or at school is for the parent to be quiet.  Zip your lips parents.  If your child mentions something illegal or dangerous going on, try to train yourself to make a note to talk about the negatives about the situation later and sit n listen.  Gather as many details as possible.

-         “So what did he do then?”

-         “What was everyone else doing?”

-         “What were u thinking?”

-         “Then what happened?”

-         “Was anyone hurt?”

-         “Was anyone arrested?”

Later on you need to sit your child down and talk about the dangerous situation.  The facts happened whether you hear about them or not.  Do you want to hear about what is going on?  Communication between a teen and a parent is essential.  If you have to take each child out for an ice cream one at a time, do it.  You need to listen to what is going on in your child’s world.

 

Communication Thru Journals

Beautiful, keepsake journals available online @ DianneCouris.com

 

For every child there should be three journals.

One journal for a child to keep his private thoughts.  Unless there is a concern about something harmful or illegal, a journal should not be read by a parent.

 

One journal for Dad and child.  Communication needs to be initiated by Dad.  Even if….especially if a family is divorced.  Many topics between father and child could be discussed via writing.

 

One journal for Mom and child.  Communication needs to be initiated by Mom.  Start by recognizing all the helpful things your child has done throughout the day.  Notice any time your child initiates chores and responsibilities before you remind (nag) him of his chores and responsibilities.

 

Again and again put it under your child’s pillow full of praise and words of love.

 

Words of praise and love go a long way with a misbehaving teen or child.

 

 

Don’t forget to talk to your children about the bad things going on in school and neighborhood.

Don’t forget to ask your child about the bad behaviors going on in school and the neighborhood.  The best way to have a child give details about the bad things going on at parties or at school is for the parent to be quiet.  Zip your lips parents.  If your child mentions something illegal or dangerous going on, try to train yourself to make a note to talk about the negatives about the situation later and sit n listen.  Gather as many details as possible.

-         “So what did he do then?”

-         “What was everyone else doing?”

-         “What were u thinking?”

-         “Then what happened?”

-         “Was anyone hurt?”

-         “Was anyone arrested?”

Later on you need to sit your child down and talk about the dangerous situation.  The facts happened whether you hear about them or not.  Do you want to hear about what is going on?  Communication between a teen and a parent is essential.  If you have to take each child out for an ice cream one at a time, do it.  You need to listen to what is going on in your child’s world.

 

 

 

What advice would u give a frustrated parent with a child who will not do homework?  How do u get ur child to do homework?

Tell him to watch the movie Walking Tall and then take him to a lumber yard.

Take away stuff like PS3.

Thats easy…no homework – no video games.

Take away all electronices, video games, cell phones, tv, everything.

Take away everything.  They do not deserve to have them if they do not do as they are told.  They have to want to do homework.  Somehow you have to make if fun for them or make them realize what happens to kids who do not do well in school.  A visit to the jail might work.

Do homework with them.  If they think you don’t care, they won’t care.

Take them to a soup kitchen and say “most of these people did not do homework!”  Every time they don’t do homework they have to volunteer one hour at the soup kitchen.

Set ur children up 4 success.  Make sure each child has a workspace with school supplies.  It should be in a quiet place with few distractions. Put upcoming homeowrk and tests on your family calendar.

Make ur child complete his least favorite chores (and homework)  before anything else.  Homework should always come before play and leisure time.

Communicate with his teacher.  Most teachers are great with emial correspndence and are happy to work with a struggling student’s parents.

What reward can ur child earn for completing his chores and homework?  If ur child receives allowance, now would be a good time to review and give to him.  Four days a week – what reward can ur child earn for completing homework??

tv time

game time

playing outside time

hanging with friends

ice cream

special snack

hour later bedtime…..