| Try not to smack your child | | | | ownership of their behaviour. |
| Although there may not seem an alternative | | | | Demonstrate how to calm down |
| sometimes, smacking your child in the heat of the | | | | By showing your child how to calm down you |
| moment actually shows your child that it's ok to | | | | give them real valuable life tools to help diffuse |
| strike out when they're angry. When you show | | | | their anger which will aid them greatly in the long |
| that its ok to not be self controlled when you're | | | | term. One great method is to get them to place |
| angry, then they don't think its necessary either. | | | | their hand on their chest whilst taking two deep |
| So it ends up being detrimental to the child, and | | | | breath. You can serve them by acting out that |
| also your relationship to them in the long term. | | | | action as a visual cue to remind them to take a |
| Limit their exposure to violence | | | | step back from the situation, when you see them |
| If your child is watching violence on tv or playing | | | | start to get angry and wound up. When they see |
| violent computer games, then it has a knock on | | | | you using that cue, they can take a lead from |
| effect on their behaviour. Why not limit, or stop | | | | your action. |
| altogether, their exposure to violence in the | | | | Resolve your own anger |
| media. Turn the tables, and choose media that | | | | Its a humbling thing that we model behaviour to |
| encourages love, kindness and respect for others | | | | our children. They look to us for the way to |
| instead. Watch the effect it has on them, it may | | | | behave in life, as the people they look up to and |
| take a bit of time for them to get used to it, and | | | | take a cue from. So if you explode at the |
| may be a struggle to implement. But it will pay off | | | | smallest thing, then it's likely that your child will do |
| in the end. | | | | so as well. Try and find ways to diffuse your |
| Show your child how to empathize | | | | anger as soon as possible, not letting it build up, |
| Showing your child the effects their behaviour has | | | | and using ways to express how you feel in a |
| on others can be a powerful way of changing | | | | calm and controlled manner. Think about how you |
| their behaviour. Often children pay little to no | | | | would like your child to deal with their anger, and |
| attention to the effect their behaviour is having | | | | try and model that to them in the way you deal |
| on others. By talking to them, suggesting things | | | | with anger. Show how you would apologise for |
| like "how would you feel if your brother hit you | | | | your actions. They will soon pick it up. |
| like that?", is a really powerful way of them taking | | | | |