Behavioral Management/Parenting 201

Prenatal Education classes are part of all birthing plans now. Before the little baby enters your life, you get handy lessons on what to do with it. I found this especially handy, considering neither of my children come with interaction manuals. There were also sibling classes, grandparent classes, and etc. available should one so desire. But after that little baby is born, there aren't any many classes out there. 

My Behavioral Management class should be the next class we are offered as parents. I'm either fortunate or nerdy enough to find each of my classes interesting, but this one is especially interesting. I may even call it my favorite class, but let's not get too hasty and first finish all the exams before we give it that title. Still, the most useful lessons and ideas are presented in this class. We should require all parents to take it a short course when children turn 3! 

Can you imagine every day being presented with not only the "What If" situation but a reasonable solution provided? What do you do when a child is belligerent? Talks to much? Wants all your attention? Runs instead of walks? Hits? Granted, I haven't come home and performed a full Behavioral Intervention Plan with observations and assessments on the boys, but changes have been made:

- we've tweaked our token economy (chore chart & rewards) and the boys are actually doing more!

- we added routine and structure to our day and are fighting less, playing more!

- we all have contributed to positive house rules that the boys like to protect!

- we are all getting more done every day!

 

Instead of just managing the  incident, I'm now questioning "Why did he do this?" and "What did I do to contribute to this?" Even Paul is getting into it, and we're having conversations about what behaviors we want to change and how we can use some PBIS (positive behavior intervention strategies). 

At the pool last night, neither of our boys wanted to get out. We gave the five minute warning, the three minute warning, the two minute warning and Graham cranked the whining up. Rob got out of the pool and we said "We really like how you got out all by yourself, Big Man!"Graham couldn't stand it! He was out of the pool in a flash and rushing to beat Rob to help us pack up. At the same time, another family was doing the same, and their son cranked up the whining. The daddy responded "Do you want to get your butt beat?" and I felt like writing down Dr. Smith's information  and saying "Call her about ED516!" I didn't - I didn't want my butt beat! 

I love this class!