May 13, 2024
Are children master manipulators, or just trying to get their way? Is it okay to have night-time snacks? What's a dad to do when his child disobeys, turning on the TV after bedtime? Join us this week with J Fotsch and Dr. Jennifer Baker as we cover common questions for dads of four- and five-year-olds, including bedtimes, sugary snacks, discipline, pretend-crying and more.
Show Notes
- (2:14) I try to tell (my daughter) when I know she's
fake-crying, or fake-whining. She does that very, very good. I tell
her, I say, "Do you know something? I know when you're not really
crying—that you're fake crying—and I also know when you're pouting
and you're trying to get something. So let's not do that."
- (3:38) Many times adults make the mistake of thinking a child
thinks the way they do. And they don't! A child (who's) maybe 4 or
5 has very concrete thinking.
- (6:08) Let's say that you want a cookie ... There's no reason
you shouldn't get that cookie. And you're gonna try to figure out
any way that you can to get that cookie. And if something works—and
has worked—like crying or whining or begging or whatever, then
you're going to do it as long as you can to see if it works.
- (7:26) If you reward the behavior that you don't want to see,
by giving in, giving the cookie ... then you're likely to see more
of that behavior because it worked.
- (10:15) When you smile, children know really they've lost the
battle. It's like, when we (parents) get angry ... it's like
throwing a pebble in a puddle. You got a reaction there. Alright,
let's see if I can throw a bigger pebble. Ok, now I really got you
going! Look at you, your face is all red.
- (13:41) You can't tell a child to sleep. Have you ever tried
that? It doesn't work.
- (18:42) Most parents could make their lives much easier if they have a routine and they stick to that routine. Kids love routine. They feel safe in routine.
Resources
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