Yes teaching them about needs versus wants is a great money lesson and sets realistic expectations. I couldn't agree more about natural consequences; it's a safe and effective way to let them learn and gives them agency over their actions too!
Yes teaching them young the difference between 'wants' and 'needs' is a great insight! I've been trying to instil gratefulness and appreciation for what they have, especially in this material-driven world. It's tough, because it's such a fine line to tread - you want them to have everything they need, but not everything they want. I find that experiences are a great way to divert their attention from material desires. Making memories creates a lot more value and doesn't foster excessive consumerism.
Short attention spans are definitely a challenge! Timeouts can be effective, especially when used consistently. I've found that using a timer and explaining the concept of minutes helps my kids understand the duration better, and it doesn't feel so indefinite.
Time-outs sure can be effective especially for young kids, but I've found that explaining the concept of consequences helps too. Of course, this works best with older toddlers and preschoolers - framing it in a way they can understand: "If you throw your toy, it might break, and we won't be able to fix it." Giving them a chance to consider the outcome before acting definitely teaches some accountability.
Timeouts are helpful but only when my kid is in the right frame of mind; otherwise, it escalates the situation and extends the tantrum duration for sure! But yep, they work wonders usually and teach a needed lesson of calm reflection, haha! And yes, short attention spans - that's definitely been my saviour many times too. Just redirect that focus and you're golden!
I employed the "cry it out" method, which I know sounds horrid, but it was the only thing that worked for my little one. It was hard because he would wail and cry for up to 45 minutes, and I had to go in there and reassure him at longer intervals until he fell asleep. I started with five minutes, then increased it by a few minutes each night. It was brutal, to be honest, but after three nights of this routine, he started sleeping through the night, and our lives changed drastically for the better! No more cranky, sleep-deprived kid or parents!
Time out is a good method that I use quite often too. It's amazing how effective it can be when done consistently and at the right moments. You're right about the short attention spans though; you really have to be quick with your tactics!
I used the cry-it-out method recommended by our paediatrician. It was tough because he would cry and wail for almost an hour before finally falling asleep, but after three nights of consistent implementation, there was noticeable improvement. We made sure to provide lots of comfort and assurance during the day and maintained a fixed bedtime routine with minimal stimulation before sleep. It's not an easy method, but it worked for us, and his sleep has improved significantly!
You're right about that; teaching them that life isn't always a bowl of cherries helps in the long run. Good on you for finding an approach that works to boost his confidence too!
Good on you for encouraging your son to keep improving and not let him get comfortable with mediocre skills! It's a great way to instill the value of perseverance and a growth mindset from young, and it definitely sounds like a fun way to bond too.
That's a great insight, keeping the games competitive even when playing with young'uns. Keeping them grounded and encouraging a humble yet confident attitude is so important these days! It's good to hear that you're instilling those values in your son at an early age.
That's an interesting insight about letting kids experience natural consequences! I've found that too, especially when they throw tantrums. After some time, they realize that certain behaviors don't get them anywhere and change their approach. It's a good lesson in cause and effect.
Good on you for encouraging your son to develop a competitive spirit! Instilling the notion of fair play and not giving up are valuable life skills that will serve him well, beyond just games and into real-life situations. It's a fun way to bond over shared enthusiasm for gaming, too!
That's a great insight! Instilling a healthy sense of competition and encouraging your child to develop real skills is important. It's a good balance to strike, as it prepares them for the outside world while boosting their confidence in a meaningful way.
Fostering independence is definitely an important part of parenting. I make sure to create a safe environment for my little one to explore and encourage her to do things on her own like picking out her clothes or choosing which park we should visit. Having a predictable routine also helps her anticipate what's coming next, giving her a sense of control. And as much as possible, I try not to intervene unless it's necessary - she learns best by trying and figuring things out herself! This takes patience but it's rewarding to see her figure things out independently.
I let my children make their own decisions from as young as two-and-a-half. They were involved in choosing their outfits, snacks, and meals within certain boundaries. For example, they could choose between two dresses or decide whether they wanted fruit or yogurt for dessert. I taught them the concept of 'same same' or 'different' so that they could understand the choices they could pick from.
Encourage them to do simple household chores and teach them basic survival skills, like preparing simple meals or doing their own laundry. Giving them these responsibilities makes them feel useful and needed while instilling a sense of accomplishment. From experience, it also shifts the dynamic from a nagging reminder to a shared, productive activity when asking them to do these chores! Also, allowing some freedom to explore their interests can spark passions they might develop further. Supporting their curiosities and providing the space to indulge in them fosters creativity and independent thinking.
You're right; it's these little things that give children an sense of control over their lives and environments. My kiddo likes to pack his own snacks and choose the stories we read at bedtime. These small responsibilities make him feel grown-up and capable, and he takes pride in his choices.
Encourage their exploration within safe boundaries and give them simple household chores so that they feel like contributing members of the family. Don't swoop in to help unless asked; let them figure out solutions to simple problems with gentle guidance. Simple phrases like "I think you can handle it" or "What do you think we should do?" go a long way in fostering independence.
I started giving my son some simple decisions to make around the age of three, like choosing between two outfits for the day or picking a fruit for dessert. Being able to visualize and select different options helped him learn the concept of making choices, which eventually led to more complex decision-making.
