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Parent, Child Video Testimonials
9/8/23 – Why Do Two Children in the Same Home Act Differently?
As a Parent Project facilitator, I often hear from parents who are concerned about why their two children act so differently. One child may be compliant and easygoing, while the other child may be more defiant and challenging.
There are many factors that can contribute to these differences in behavior. Here are a few of the most common:
- Genetics. Children inherit their genes from their parents, and these genes can influence their temperament, personality, and behavior. For example, some children may be more naturally outgoing and impulsive, while others may be more reserved and cautious.
- Birth order. The order in which children are born can also play a role in their behavior. Firstborn children are often more responsible and compliant, while later-born children may be more rebellious and independent.
- Unique experiences. Each child has their own unique experiences that shape their personality and behavior. These experiences can include things like their relationships with their parents, their friends, and their teachers.
- The environment. The environment in which a child grows up can also affect their behavior. This includes things like the quality of their home life, the neighborhood they live in, and the schools they attend.
It is important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to why two children in the same home act differently. The best way to understand your children’s behavior is to talk to them, observe them, and get to know them as individuals.
If you are concerned about your child’s behavior, it is always a good idea to seek help from experienced professionals to learn strategies for managing their behavior.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind:
- Be patient and understanding. It takes time for children to learn how to control their behavior. Be patient and understanding, and don’t give up on them.
- Set clear expectations. Let your children know what you expect of them, and be consistent in enforcing those expectations.
- Be a role model. Children learn by watching the adults in their lives. Be sure to model the behavior that you want to see in your children.
- Seek professional help if needed. If you are struggling to manage your child’s behavior, don’t hesitate to seek professional help with developing strategies for dealing with your child’s behavior.
Remember, every child is different. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. The most important thing is to be patient, understanding, and consistent. With a proven plan, and time and effort, you can help your children to develop positive behaviors.
7/22/23 – How to Stop Yelling at Your Child and Parent Effectively
Yelling is a common parenting behavior, but it is not an effective way to discipline children. Yelling can make children feel scared, angry, and resentful. It can also damage the parent-child relationship.
If you want to stop yelling at your child, the first step is to understand why you yell. Are you feeling stressed, frustrated, or angry? Are you trying to get your child’s attention? Are you trying to control their behavior?
Once you understand why you yell, you can start to develop strategies to stop. Here are a few tips:
- Take a deep breath. When you feel yourself starting to get angry, take a few deep breaths. This will help you to calm down and think more clearly.
- Walk away. If you can, walk away from the situation and give yourself some time to cool down.
- Use positive reinforcement. When your child behaves the way you want them to, praise them and give them positive attention. This will help them to learn that good behavior is rewarded.
- Set clear expectations. Let your child know what you expect of them and be consistent in your enforcement of those expectations.
- Be a role model. Children learn by watching the adults in their lives. If you want your child to stop yelling, be sure to model calm and respectful behavior yourself.
- Identify your triggers. What are the things that make you most likely to yell? Once you know your triggers, you can start to avoid them or develop strategies to cope with them.
- Take care of yourself. When you are feeling stressed or tired, you are more likely to yell. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly.
- Ask for help. If you are struggling to stop yelling, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Stop yelling and start parenting effectively. It is possible to change your behavior and build a better relationship with your child. If you are struggling to stop yelling on your own, there are resources available to help you. The Parent Help Center is a parent-training resource that can teach you how exactly how to discipline your child without any yelling involved.
6/17/23 – Helping Your Child Deal with an Absent Parent
As a parent, you want to do everything you can to help your child thrive. But what if one of your child’s parents is absent? This can be a difficult situation for both you and your child.
Here are some tips on how to help your child deal with an absent parent:
- Be honest with your child about the situation. Don’t try to sugarcoat things or make promises that you can’t keep. Explain to your child why the other parent is absent, and answer their questions honestly.
- Validate your child’s feelings. It’s okay for your child to feel sad, angry, or confused. Let them know that it’s normal to feel these things, and that you’re there for them.
- Be patient. It takes time for children to adjust to an absent parent. Be patient with your child, and don’t expect them to get over it overnight.
- Create a stable and loving home environment. This is more important than ever when your child is dealing with an absent parent. Make sure your child feels loved, supported, and safe at home.
- Encourage your child to talk about their feelings. Let your child know that you’re always available to listen, and that they can talk to you about anything.
- Help your child find healthy ways to cope with their feelings. This could include talking to a therapist, journaling, or participating in activities that they enjoy.
- Don’t badmouth the absent parent. This will only make things worse for your child. If your child asks questions about the absent parent, answer them honestly but avoid saying anything negative.
- Encourage your child to maintain a relationship with the absent parent, if possible. This may be difficult, but it’s important for your child to have a relationship with both of their parents, if possible.
In addition to the above, a support group can also help the parent to:
- Validate their feelings. It can be helpful to hear from other parents who understand the range of emotions that a parent may be feeling, such as sadness, anger, guilt, and loneliness.
- Learn from others’ experiences. Other parents in the group may have found creative ways to cope with the absence of a parent, such as finding new activities for their child or connecting with other single parents.
- Feel less alone. It can be comforting to know that other parents are going through the same thing. The support group can provide a sense of community and support.
If you are a parent of a child with an absent parent we encourage you to take advantage of our support group. These are parents dealing with similar situations and who have been exactly where you are.
5/15/23 – How to Get Your Child to Take You Seriously
As a parent, you want your child to take you seriously. You want them to listen to you, follow your rules, and respect your authority. But sometimes, it can be hard to get your child to do what you say. They may argue with you, ignore you, or even defy you.
If you’re struggling to get your child to take you seriously, there are a few things you can do. Here are a few tips from a trained Parent Project facilitator:
- Be consistent. One of the most important things you can do is to be consistent with your expectations and consequences. If you say something once, mean it. And if you set a consequence, follow through with it. If you’re not consistent, your child will learn that they can get away with not listening to you.
- Be clear and direct. When you’re giving your child instructions, be clear and direct. Don’t beat around the bush or use vague language. Tell them exactly what you want them to do and when you want them to do it.
- Be respectful. Even though you’re the parent, it’s important to treat your child with respect. This means listening to them when they talk to you, even if you don’t agree with what they’re saying. It also means avoiding name-calling, yelling, and other forms of verbal abuse.
- Be a role model. Children learn by watching the adults in their lives. If you want your child to be respectful, you need to be respectful yourself. This means treating others the way you want your child to treat you.
- Be patient. It takes time to build a relationship of trust and respect with your child. Don’t expect them to start taking you seriously overnight. Just keep being consistent, clear, and respectful, and eventually they will come around.
- Spend time with your child. The more time you spend with your child, the more they will come to see you as a trusted authority figure.
- Show your child that you love them. Children who feel loved and accepted are more likely to respect their parents.
- Be a good listener. When your child talks to you, really listen to what they have to say. Don’t interrupt or judge them.
- Be fair and consistent. Children need to know that they can expect the same rules and consequences from you, no matter what.
- Be positive. Children are more likely to listen to parents who are positive and encouraging.
- Don’t give up. It takes time and effort to build a strong relationship with your child. Don’t give up if you don’t see results immediately. Just keep trying, and eventually you will get there.
If you follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to getting your child to take you seriously. Remember, it takes time and effort, but it’s worth it in the end.
4/18/23 – Influencing and Motivating Children
Influencing and motivating children can be a challenging task for parents, particularly if their child is strong-willed or resistant to change. However, positive reinforcement can be a powerful tool in encouraging desired behaviors and discouraging unwanted behaviors.
One effective strategy for motivating children is to provide positive strokes or positive consequences for desired behaviors. This can include verbal praise, such as “I’m proud of you for doing a great job,” or tangible rewards, such as a sticker or a small treat. By recognizing and rewarding their child’s positive behavior, parents can increase the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future.
For example, if a parent sees their child reading a book instead of watching television, they could say something like, “I’m so happy to see you reading! It’s wonderful to see you enjoying a book.” This type of positive stroke can encourage the child to continue reading in the future.
It’s important for parents to remember that it’s easier to increase desired behaviors than it is to decrease unwanted behaviors. By encouraging their child to spend more time doing positive activities, such as reading or playing outside, there will be less time for them to engage in negative behaviors.
In summary, parents can influence and motivate their children by recognizing and rewarding positive behaviors, which can help to encourage those behaviors in the future. By focusing on positive reinforcement, parents can help their children develop healthy habits and behaviors that will benefit them throughout their lives.
1/13/23 – Parenting a strong-willed child
Parenting a strong-willed child can be both a challenge and a joy. These children are determined, independent, and often have a mind of their own. While this can make parenting difficult at times, it can also lead to a fulfilling and rewarding experience. Here are some tips for parenting strong-willed children:
Set clear boundaries and expectations. Strong-willed children need to know what is expected of them and what the consequences will be if they do not meet those expectations. This can help them feel secure and in control.
Allow for independence and self-expression. Strong-willed children often have a lot of energy and ideas, and it’s important to let them express themselves in healthy ways. Encourage them to explore their interests and passions, and give them the freedom to make their own choices within reason.
Be firm and consistent. Strong-willed children can test limits, and it’s important to be consistent with discipline. Stick to your rules and consequences, and don’t give in to manipulation or pleading.
Show respect and listen to your child. Strong-willed children often have strong opinions, and it’s important to listen to them and respect their feelings and ideas. Showing respect can help build trust and open lines of communication between you and your child.
Be a role model. Strong-willed children often learn by example, so it’s important to set a good one. Show your child how to handle difficult situations with grace and determination.
Parenting strong-willed children can be a challenging and rewarding experience. We teach parents how to accomplish all of the above using a proven method that has been around for over three decades, so that you can help your child develop into a confident and successful adult.
We help you to a growing and loving relationship of mutual respect.