InfoGuide4Parents.com

Don’t you feel that you could spend the entire day cleaning up after your family? “By 5 pm the house is a mess, the kids are tired, and I need to get dinner going! How can I get them to pick up their toys?” Sound familiar?

First things first. As with any new plan or change tell your family what you have in mind and how it will look.

Do you have a young child that is competitive? One who doesn’t like to lose at games; who brags about being the winner? Is this normal behavior for a young child say, 5-year-old?

Most children begin to become aware of competing with others somewhere around 5 to 6 years of age.

Not only is your 5 year old exploring her self awareness in relation to others, she is also operating from beliefs she’s developed about who she is and how to get attention and power.

Of course the first step to getting more cooperation is to get out a mirror and examine your own behavior and belief system. Take a good, hard look at how cooperative YOU are with your spouse, children, and others.

Chances are that if you have been irritated when someone asks for your help, or whiney when the house is left a mess, or nag when the chores need to be done, then that is exactly what you are getting back.

How old should children be for family meetings?

Never underestimate your child’s ability to participate and benefit from a family meeting. I have done them with success with children 15 months old and would not hesitate to include an infant. The thing to remember is that you are creating a format so that you can come up with solutions as a family. This makes the family unit the authority instead of just you (which is a set up for power struggles).

So when you begin having meetings don’t expect them to be the cure all. Instead break them down into steps to ensure success.

Ever hear, “Let me do it by myself!” Well it’s time to listen up!

Your child is following an inner blue print to become independent and you can either help or hinder.

P.S. If you decide to hinder your child will be dependent ON YOU!!!!

It’s time to set up your kitchen to help your children AND YOURSELF gain independence. The worst power struggles are around what goes into and comes out of your children’s bodies.