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Go to Bed
Sonja Preston

Go to Bed! – How to Get Children to Stay in Bed

April 27, 2020/in 1 - 3 Years, 3 - 5 Years, Intellectual, Language, Social - Emotional /by Sonja Preston

Okay, so you’ve read three stories, tucked them in, kissed them goodnight and switched off the light.

Just as you settle into the comfy chair with a cuppa… “Mum, I’m thirsty” or “Dad, I just need to tell you something” or even little footsteps coming down the hall!

How do we get children to stay in bed once you’ve completed the bed-time routine? (As a reminder, a routine generally is something like… Bath, milk, teeth brushing, toilet, stories, kisses and cuddles.)

Basically the answer is consistency. Once a child is put to bed, with the established bed-time routine, then you follow through with consistency. If a child gets out of bed, you take their hand, walk  them back to bed, tuck them in, saying  “It’s bed-time”. If they get up again, you repeat. And repeat as many times as is necessary. Once you try to rationalise (“you’ll be tired in the morning”; you’ve already had a glass of milk”; “you should have eaten more dinner”) – then you have opened the door, for the child to engage in a conversation. They will feel the need to justify how hungry they are, or how important it is to tell you something – which then leads you to reply, and so it goes on.

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https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/go-to-bed.jpg 326 579 Sonja Preston https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/TPC-Logo.svg Sonja Preston2020-04-27 06:00:592020-04-27 15:08:43Go to Bed! – How to Get Children to Stay in Bed
Sonja Preston

19 Ways to be a Positive Parent – Part 3

May 20, 2019/in 1 - 3 Years, 3 - 5 Years, 4 - 12 Months, Parents /by Sonja Preston

I’m sure as you’ve read the previous two articles covering this topic, you’ve realized that you are already doing many things which fall into the ‘positive parenting’ realm. My intention was to offer you a range (19 in fact!) so that you can add a few more to your Parenting Toolkit!  Let’s continue…..

 

10 Provide Incidental Teaching: When you are playing blocks with them, mention the colour names; when making a salad, tell them what you are doing and see if they’d like to help; when crossing the road, explain why you look both ways, and why they need to hold your hand. Almost every situation is an opportunity to share a simple fact with them – not to overload point, just a bit of information.

 

11 Clear Ground Rules: Keep rules simple. Have just a few general ones rather than a l-o-n-g list (which no-one can stick to!) Rules might be things like We don’t hurt people; We are careful with others possessions; and We speak ‘nicely’… change the wording to suit the age of the child. Read more

https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Family-3.jpg 400 600 Sonja Preston https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/TPC-Logo.svg Sonja Preston2019-05-20 06:00:552019-05-06 15:01:1819 Ways to be a Positive Parent – Part 3
Sonja Preston

My toddler is slapping me!

September 10, 2018/in 1 - 3 Years, 3 - 5 Years, 4 - 12 Months, Intellectual, Language, Parents, Social - Emotional /by Sonja Preston

Lisa asked what to do about her 19 month old son, when he slaps her on the face, for no apparent reason…

Oh Lisa, it’s so awful when our children respond with hitting us! Apart from any physical pain, we are often horrified at their behaviour, shocked that they would do it, wonder why they are doing it, and then if anyone is watching, we also feel embarrassed! What a mix of emotions!

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https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/412223214_03c00bb8a8_o.jpg 480 640 Sonja Preston https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/TPC-Logo.svg Sonja Preston2018-09-10 15:25:012018-09-10 15:18:59My toddler is slapping me!

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