Natural Parenting Toolbox

It's 3:45am and I'm up with Nate watching Dora and running the humidifier and hoping that his Zyrtec kicks in he's able to breathe better soon which will lead to being able to nurse which I hope to Gaia will lead to sleeping. In an attempt to prevent myself from being super cranky, not fun, mean, loud, crabby mama tomorrow I found this list via Mothering and am posting it here as a reminder to myself to be patient with the world and most especially my children when Ben wakes me up for the day in about 3 hours.

Alternatives to Punishment

• Use positive reinforcement.
  
• Create a positive environment.
  
• Say yes as much as possible.
  
• Save no for the important things.
  
• Use natural consequences.
  
• Use logical consequences.
  
• Use restitution.
  
• Leave it up to your child.
  
• Compromise.
  
• State your expectations, and get out of the way.
  
• Give specific instructions.
  
• Give a reason.
  
• Offer help.
  
• Give a choice.
  
• Redirect your child.
  
• Remove your child.
  
• Make positive statements.
  
• Give in occasionally.
  
• Give your child time to agree.
  
• Simply insist.
  
• Make rules.
  
• Ignore some behavior.
  
• Avoid nagging and threats.
  
• Distract your child.
  
• Use humor.
  
• Make it a game.
  
• Be willing to admit your mistakes.
  
• Stop and think before you act.
  
• Don't make a big fuss over little things.
  
• Stick to routines.
  
• Don't hurry your children too much.
  
• Get to the root of the problem.
  
• Correct one behavior at a time.
  
• Give yourselves time.
  
• Use the golden rule.
  
• Model appropriate behavior.
  
• Think of your child as an equal.
  
• Always keep your love for your child in mind.