They Won't Stay in Time Out!
What about the children who haven't read the rule book?
Some children just haven’t read the parenting manuals. You count to three and they stand there watching. You tell them to go to Time Out, and they either refuse completely, or settle in and say they’re never coming back. When you tell them off, their behaviour escalates and you wish you’d never started
Illustration by Eliza Fricker (www.missingthemark.blog)
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These children turn their parents’ lives upside down. The harder parents set firm boundaries, the more their children lay down the law. Parents try to pick their battles, but the children haven’t got the memo. Absolutely everything becomes a fight. From putting on socks to eating at the table.
Parents start to worry about the future. What will happen if they are still behaving like this in ten years time? Will they end up on the streets? In prison? Where is this going? Why is life so difficult?
No one is happy. Emotions can run high, and parents can feel like failures. Everyone is on a knife edge. Meltdowns lead to recriminations lead to arguments, and it goes on and on.
Why does this happen, and what can you do differently? That’s what Eliza Fricker and myself will be covering in our next Low Demand Parenting webinar.
We’re talking about Emotions. Why are they such a problem for many families, and how can you help your children manage their internal world?
These webinars are highly illustrated by Eliza Fricker (Missing the Mark) and are a down to earth look at parenting outside the mainstream. You’ll gain insight and practical ideas. Please share if you know parents who might benefit.
Wednesday, April 5th at 19.30 BST. It’s recorded if you can’t make it at that time.
Would webinar be more for parents of younger children than teenagers?