Setting Limits
(material provided by The Incredible Years, Carolyn Webster-Stratton, Ph.D.)
- Don’t give unnecessary commands.
- Give one command at a time.
- Be realistic in your expectations and use age-appropriate commands.
- Use “do” commands.
- Make commands positive and polite.
- Don’t use “stop” commands.
- Give children ample opportunity to comply.
- Give warnings and helpful reminders.
- Don’t threaten children; use “when-then” commands.
- Give children options whenever possible.
- Make commands short and to the point.
- Support your partner’s commands.
- Praise compliance or provide consequences for noncompliance.
- Strike a balance between parent and child control.
- Encourage problem solving with children.
Part 6 of 13