How Do Great Parents…Set Limits

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