Catch them being good!

So many parents wonder why little kids "are always misbehaving".  The answer is quite simple:  people (ALL people, including little kids) will continue to perform behavior that gets REWARDED.  Most adults tend to ignore children who are playing quietly, without fighting or being disruptive.  But children, like most people, HATE to be ignored.  So, since they know "deep down" that MISBEHAVIN' will get them ATTENTION, that's what they HAVE TO DO!  It doesn't matter that the attention they'll be getting will be SCOLDING, and anger, it's STILL a POWERFUL REWARD, or what they call "Positive reinforcement" in the psychology business.

 A parenting magazine recently offered the following tip to keep young children from interrupting your telephone conversations:   Wait until you see your little one playing quietly; approach casually and make a "phoney phone call".  Pretend to be speaking with someone.  The script should be short: "Hi Mom, everyone's fine. I just wanted to say hello.  We'll see you next week."  Then hang up. Then you look down at your child with amazement:  I CAN'T BELIEVE you waited SO PATIENTLY while I was speaking on the phone!!  No other boy/girl on Long Island could be so POLITE and PATIENT!!