Avoid criticizing your child- correct the behavior instead
- Stop being judgmental and judging your child’s friends they choose to talk to.
- When your child acts out in a harmful and spiteful manner, tell him or her that such behavior is unacceptable and suggest alternatives. Avoid statements such as: “You’re bad.” “Go away!”, etc. (as difficult as it may be to remain positive).
- Be assertive yet kind when pointing out what they have done wrong. Be stern/serious, but not cross or mean, when you tell them what you expect.
- Avoid public humiliation. If they misbehave in public, take them aside, and scold them privately.
- Reasonably model the behavior and character you hope your children will adopt and continue to live by the rules that you set. Show them by example in addition to verbal explanations. Children have a tendency to become what they see and hear unless they make a conscious and concerted effort to break the mold.
- A child may have an opposite disposition, ie: introverted when you are extroverted, for instance; and not be able to fit into the pattern and style that you