Behavior Archives | Sleeping Should Be Easy

What to Do when You Tell Your Kids “No” Too Often

Published Jul 05, 2020 Updated Jul 05, 2020

Do you feel like the "mean parent" for telling your kids not to do this or that? Here's what to do when you tell your child no too often. "I tell him 'no' so much, sometimes even before he's done anything," a friend vented. "He'll have food in his hand, and I just know he's about to throw it on the ground," she reasoned. We've all found ourselves in a similar situation, telling our kids "no," sometimes even before they've misbehaved. Other times, we convince ourselves that they deliberately disobey all the time, forcing us to tell them "no"all day long. The word itself is less … [Read more...]

When Your Child Seems to Ruin Everyone’s Day

Behavior

Published Jun 16, 2020 Updated Jun 16, 2020

What to do when your child ruins everyone's day with tantrums and outbursts? Learn how to turn a bad day around and embrace your child's temperament. Does it feel like your child seems disagreeable nearly all the time, crying and throwing a tantrum every day? Her emotional dial is set to extreme, with every response an outburst. Once in a while she'll comply, but on most days, she's defiant and rude. You try to have fun by taking the family to a restaurant or buying the kids new toys. But of course, she throws a fit about leaving too soon and gets jealous about her brother's toy. While … [Read more...]

Do You Have an Ungrateful Child? Here’s What to Do:

Behavior

Published May 30, 2020 Updated Jun 02, 2020

Are you dealing with selfish kids? Learn how to discipline an ungrateful child without power struggles, and nurture respect for each other instead. My husband added an extra treat for our toddler: a peanut butter sandwich with his oatmeal. The little guy shoved aside the oatmeal for the sandwich and gobbled it up in record speed. Once his hands were empty, though, he cried for more. "It's all gone," we explained. But nothing seemed to register. He wasn't thrilled at having eaten a favorite snack—instead, he showed little thanks once it was gone. This wasn't the first time he seemed … [Read more...]

How to Stop Kids from Talking Back to You

Behavior

Published May 26, 2020 Updated Jun 14, 2020

Are you embarrassed and frustrated with the way your child talks back to you? Discover how to discipline kids talking back and build a strong relationship instead. Wondering where you've gone wrong that your child thinks talking back is okay? Maybe you're shocked at some of the words coming out of her mouth, especially when, not too long ago, she was the most angelic person in the world. You've tried everything: taking her beloved toys away, time outs, no television, even spanking. Nothing is working—your little one is still talking back, and you have no idea what to do. Here's the … [Read more...]

Why You Shouldn’t Reward Your Kids All the Time

Behavior

Published May 22, 2020 Updated May 27, 2020

Most parents use a reward system for kids, from potty training to chores. Here's why you shouldn't reward kids (and what to do instead). Stars. Candy. A new toy. I swore I wouldn't resort to rewards when my toddler was potty training. But I still found myself making my own version: I drew stars on his "pee pee poster." The poster, taped to the bathroom mirror, was meant to encourage continued potty-training success. For a while it worked... that is, until the glamor and novelty of the stars eventually wore off. Because even though I wasn't handing him stickers or candy, I learned … [Read more...]

Why You Need to Follow Through with Consequences (and How to Actually Do It)

Behavior

Published May 19, 2020 Updated Jun 14, 2020

Struggling when your child doesn't listen? Learn why you need to follow through with consequences (and tips on standing your ground as a parent). "If you don't pick these toys up, they're going in the garbage bag," I warned my son. He had been leaving random toys on the ground without cleaning up after himself. But as you might expect from a child testing his boundaries, he still refused to clean up the mess. This hadn't been the first time, either. He'd been pushing his limits all day, from not wanting to put his shoes on to throwing a fit about the food on his plate. I wish I … [Read more...]

What You Need to Do to Handle Your Threenager

Behavior

Published May 15, 2020 Updated May 29, 2020

Disciplining a three-year-old can be a challenge. Here are effective ways to handle a threenager, no matter how strong-willed your child may be. "No more jumping," I told my three-year-old. "It's too loud for the neighbors. Walk to the bathroom instead, please." His reply? "You're not my friend! I'm not talking to you!" Welcome to the threenager stage: three-year-olds with the sass of a teenager. Three-year-olds test their boundaries like their "terrible twos" counterparts, but with attitude and stubbornness. I'm sure they'd roll their eyes if they could, just like a 13-year-old … [Read more...]

What to Do When Your Child Says No to Everything

Behavior

Published May 02, 2020 Updated May 02, 2020

What do you when your 3 year old says no to everything, no matter what? Learn the vital tactics to discipline and handle the endless no's. What do you do if you set expectations, yet your child resists them? You ask him to bring the dishes to the sink or wash his hands after using the bathroom, but he simple refuses. He's supposed to clean up toys after play time, but he sits and looks at you, waiting to see what you'll do. It's not that he doesn't understand what you're saying—he just says "no" to everything you ask. And when he doesn't get her way, he'll throw huge tantrums and … [Read more...]

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