| How to teach your child etiquette and to act like | | | | their own list (if they can read) or have them help |
| a prince or princess in public instead of a holy | | | | you pick out items you need. Next on our list is |
| terror. Normal 0 | | | | apples, which apples do you want? Then have |
| If your child doesn't act like a prince or a princess | | | | them get a bag, fill it up, and put it in the cart. |
| at times when you need her to behave, try using | | | | You would then say, next will you help me find |
| a few simple parenting techniques to help your | | | | the aisle that has birthday cakes? After |
| child learn positive behavior patterns. | | | | shopping, let your kids unload the cart and help |
| | | | | bag the groceries so they are not asking for the |
| Positive behavior is learned. Make sure you | | | | candies that grace the sides of the checkout line. |
| model the way you want your child to act. As | | | | |
| an example, if you want her to be quiet (talking in | | | | Restaurants are also a dreaded outing for parents |
| whisper voices instead of yelling voices) during a | | | | with young kids. Usually kids act out due to |
| movie at the theatre, talk to her before hand | | | | boredom. A child's attention span is extremely |
| that when we talk loudly or chatter during a | | | | short. Again, set clear expectations before |
| movie, other people can't hear and it is annoying | | | | arriving at the restaurant. Model correct behavior |
| to them to listen to children talking while the | | | | yourself and tell them what their "hero" or |
| characters in the movie are also talking. Mommy | | | | "princess" would do in a like situation. Explain that |
| and Daddy are not going to talk during the movie | | | | they are expected to act as a princess would at |
| and we expect you not to either. Then stick to | | | | the restaurant. Bring quiet and activities for |
| it! You could also talk about one of their role | | | | them to occupy their time and involve them in |
| models and how they would behave. For | | | | your conversations so they don't get bored. If |
| example, Princess Cinderella talks in her quiet | | | | they have bad manners or cry out and act up, |
| voice when she is out in public. | | | | take them out of the environment. Go out and |
| | | | | have them sit in a time-out for one minute per |
| Reward positive behavior and discourage negative | | | | year old they are. When they calm, tell them |
| behavior. For example, have an incentive, like a | | | | what you expect and take them back in. It will |
| small gift, for good behavior. If your little girl | | | | only take a couple times for them to learn. Most |
| talks during the movie, she does not get the | | | | kids will be so shocked and embarrassed that you |
| incentive. If she is quiet for the first 30 minutes, | | | | actually took them out of the environment, when |
| she gets to her very own popcorn. After she | | | | they get back, they will not want to act up |
| eats the popcorn, if she speaks in whispers for | | | | again. For good behavior, you will want to |
| the next 30 minutes, she gets a small toy after | | | | reward them immediately with descriptive positive |
| the movie, etc. Set clear expectations before | | | | praise and affection. Say something like, "You |
| hand and then stick to what you say. If she | | | | are being so good at the restaurant! You didn't |
| doesn't "earn" her prize, don't give it to her. | | | | even cry and scream once. We are so proud of |
| Make sure you have set realistic goals for her to | | | | you and know that we can take you to do special |
| reach so she can succeed and learn that good | | | | things in the future because you are acting so |
| choices lead to positive reinforcement. | | | | grown up!" |
| | | | | |
| Many parents have a hard time taking their young | | | | As you can see, a few simple techniques can help |
| children to the grocery store. Kids get bored, | | | | transform negative behavior into positive behavior |
| wander off, and get in trouble. A great way to | | | | in your children. |
| keep them occupied and engaged is to give them | | | | |