• Parents ask... What is Discipline?
  Discipline is helping children develop self-control. Discipline is setting limits and correcting misbehavior. Discipline also is encouraging children, guiding them, helping them to feel good about themselves, and teaching them how to think for themselves.
• Alternative to Lashing Out at Your Children
  Take a deep breath. And another. Then remember you are the adult.
• Spend Time with Your Children
  Bake treats together
• Words Your Child Needs to Hear
  I'm so lucky to have you!

Parents ask…What can I do to help my children feel good about themselves?
Let them know what they are doing right, as well as about the mistakes they make. Hearing good things makes us feel good and makes us want to do more good things. Say two nice but true things to children for every time you correct them. Remember, when they are changing their behavior, tell them how well they are doing, even if they only improve just a little. "Great, you played in the playground all morning without fighting."

When the big and little problems of everyday life pile up to the point where you feel like lashing out—STOP. Take time out. Don’t take it out on your children. Try any or all of these simple alternatives--whatever works for you.

Twelve Alternatives to Hurting Your Children

1. Stop in your tracks. Step back. Sit down.
2. Take five deep breaths. Inhale. Exhale. Slowly, slowly.
3. Count to 10. Better yet, 100. Or say the alphabet out loud.
4. Phone a friend, a relative, or go visit someone.
5. Still mad? Hug a pillow. Or munch an apple.
6. Thumb through a magazine, book, or newspaper.
7. Do some sit-ups.
8. Pick up a pencil and write down your thoughts.
9. Take a hot bath or a cold shower.
10. Lie down on the floor, or just put your feet up.
11. Put on your favorite record or radio program.
12. Write for parenting information to:
    Parenting, P. O. Box 2866, Chicago, IL 60690