What do you do to keep your kids from being brats?

1. 71

   mommyneal6posted 12 years ago

   What do you do to keep your kids from being brats?

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2. 59

   Shahid Bukhariposted 12 years ago

   If you mean, from being nasty ...
   
   You have to know ... "your kids are your reflection."
   
   Improve yourself ... and your kids, will follow you.

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3. 0

   Suramya.Kposted 12 years ago

   Scolding them in public is one thing we should avoid. Explain them that you do hard work to get them ready, cook for them, teach them and in return what they are giving... If they're really young to understand this, then don't take stress, they will eventually learn.

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4. 61

   rweltonposted 12 years ago

   Duct tape
   Bribery
   Threats
   Begging
   or last resort...be a good example
   Monkey see.....
   rlw

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5. 89

   mcrawford76posted 12 years ago

   I once proposed a punishment that my children would be grounded from eachother (no talking, no touching, no playing,no hugging, no kissing) if they could not treat eachother well. They only made it about an hour before they broke down crying. Just the idea of having no further contact with thier siblings was a scary thought.
   
   I can't stay that it improved their behavior long term, but they were awful nice to eachother for about a week.

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6. 60

   SteveMackenposted 12 years ago

   Your question implies that your kids ARE brats...
   
   Children aren't brats, they are the sum of their experiences and if their experiences aren't positive you cannot expect positive experiences from them.
   
   Try to look at how you deal with issues that crop up, do you behave in an aggressive way towards them, either actively or passively?
   
   Try to show your children some respect and talk to them about their feelings and what it is that is bothering them. Tell them why their behaviour is unacceptable, explain in simple terms, suitable to their age, what it is that is expected of them and what is not.
   
   Bottom line, stop calling them brats and start treating them like intelligent human beings that need your guidance, love and support.

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7. 0

   huberproposted 12 years ago

   Children love to defy the bans. They test the adult at all times by their actions but also by their words. If the adult does not respond, the transgression is taken for granted. If the parent puts the kibosh without delay, the child will no longer have the temptation again. This theory holds for all children must be balanced, however. The "big words" are sometimes acceptable  but their use must be properly lined to avoid getting hurt! That's the difficulty!
   
   Dialogue rather than punishment:
   
   If punishment is easy, it generally does not change the problem! Indeed, the child understands that it's wrong, but he does not know why. In explaining the real meaning of these words and what they induce the appearance injuring the child better understand the scope of his rudeness. The main thing is, before punishing, search where are those big words come from. If they come from school, it is important to indicate to the child that these words should not be said to adults. If they come from the house, the least we can do is to lead by example.

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8. 61

   SubRon7posted 12 years ago

   Being single, as if I could possibly know how to raise a child, but, I would say, just be there for them no matter what, listen to what they say and comment, hug them at "least" once per day (but more is better), if they ask a question try to answer but don't adlib (at least not much), encourage them to do what they want in life...I could go on and on. But, right, I don't have a child, but I've had a whole bunch of nieces and nephews.
   Just remembered, this question was about preventing brathood, but I think treating them as human beings all through their life, then "most" won't become a brat.

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9. 60

   cmcconnaposted 12 years ago

   Consistency is the key to maintaining their good behavior.  You have to stick with the rules that you establish.

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10. 60

    days leaperposted 12 years ago

    Listen, not just shout!  If your child doesn't want to see some-one you like when they visit.  Ask Why, if there's no response don't push for one or expect the worst if it looks like they don't know.  You would only alienate them this way and when they no longer feel they can trust your protection -even on your own desire/s -to know above all else- then you start to lose them.  Always give quiet time for opportunities to speak, rather than "shut Up I'm watching / doing this", which says this thing though it may be trivial like telly is still more important than you.  Better at this point to pack them off to God Parents or social services as one or the other will be more use to them!!!

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11. 61

    TheSeniorposted 12 years ago

    Not having any kids of my own - it's still an easy question.  My parents/aunts/uncles made sure all of us were brought up with equal amounts of Love and Discipline.  We were spanked when we didn't do what they told us to do.  None of us were ever abused.
    
    As we grew older, and advanced - the spanking stopped and once in awhile we got the backhand.  We were allowed to voice our opinion and long as we did what was expected of us.
    
    There were definite parameters And we knew what they were - and they were strictly inforced.  One of the keys is don't give in to any of your childs demands - they have no authority.  If we would have acted out in the store - we knew what was going to happen - we were also given a little freedom as we could handle it and as we adhered to the family/societial norms.

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12. 65

    GracieLakeposted 12 years ago

    Their actions should result in a response from you. That response should be to show them that they are in charge of their own behavior (as long as this is not a pre-verbal infant, of course), and that you can't help but respond accordingly. You show them you're there to help them learn how to make choices that give them the outcome they want. In this way, you teach them to be successful - and responsible.
    
    This is hard. You want to take care of them, and fix their problems. But they need to understand the power they have to make decisions to work within your parameters.
    
    And if they fail to maintain within those parameters, then there needs to be consequences.
    
    This is harder on the parents than the kids, but you will be teaching them and preparing them for the real world.

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13. 68

    Miss Infoposted 12 years ago

    There is a thin line between spanking and abuse. To some adults a slap or two ever so often is acceptable.
    
    However, many times parents forget that swift physical contact coupled with rage can actually be much more violent and painful than intended.
    
    I would suggest calming down and clearing your head before punishing your children.

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14. 41

    carlmuellerposted 12 years ago

    Well for starters I don't refer to them as brats. I always remember that I was their age once too and had my moments. I think if you remember that they are kids but treat them fairly they usually get the message that when they're bad, it won't be tolerated.
    
    And stay away from counting to five or whatever number people use. I can't stand that one. Even the timeouts are lame. My 4 year old puts herself in timeouts and tries to put me in timeouts so even she doesn't take those seriously.

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15. 53

    beckysewardposted 12 years ago

    You can’t stop a child from exhibiting bratty behavior at times.  It’s their job to push mom & dads buttons as much as possible.  It’s how we respond to those behaviors that mold the long term attitudes. 
    Consistency, consistency, consistency is the key.  I’ve raised 2 kids and am now raising my grandson.  I can see a huge difference in the parenting styles I have had.  My 1st go round my kids never knew if they were going to get away with it or be punished for it when they acted up. 
    I have much better control over my 2nd go round when I consistently provide a calm but firm punishment for the behavior.  The child knows what to expect and will try something else if a particular behavior always produces the same unpleasant result. 
    The extremely difficult part is staying calm, firm and consistent.  I find I must often tell myself, “you already told him to stop….or it’s the notty chair now follow through already!”
    Your word has to have meaning or you’ll end up with teens /pre-teens that are uncontrollable. 
    The parent must strive to always be “bigger, stronger and wiser” than the child

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16. 61

    LacretiaHardyposted 12 years ago

    I make sure that my kids know the rules and I remain consistent.  If they don't follow the rules, there are consequences... every single time.  I start this when they are toddlers, so that they know Mom means business.  The older they get, the more lectures get added in, so they can understand why the rules are in place.  Don't get me wrong.. I'm not all business.  I love on my kids all the time.  They know for sure that I love them and I show them affection every single day.  I want them to be pleasant, productive citizens though, so I have to take my job as parent seriously.

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17. 56

    consentinoposted 12 years ago

    Consistency,  you have to be consistent with whatever you do.  If  you tell your child no, you need to stick to it, otherwise don't say it.  You are the parent and the child is the child.  Time out is great, it sometime takes a couple of weeks for the kids to understand, but, they will get it.
    
    
    
    
    petsareagift.com

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18. 61

    whoisbidposted 12 years ago

    A lot of kids become brats because of the behavior of their parents and their teachers. Kids don't like it when they see hypocrisy. The more hypocrisy they see, the more they will want to mimic such behavior. Kids must be brought up in a loving environment with firm parents who teach them life skills.

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19. 59

    suffiloverposted 12 years ago

    Children aren't brats, they are the sum of their experiences and if their experiences aren't positive you cannot expect positive experiences from them.
    
    Stevemacken said it all.

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20. 60

    huba90posted 12 years ago

    Well i never had child before,but i think Shahid Bukhari answered your question,and also all the pranks that your childs do,will be beautiful memories.
    Sooner or later they will appreciate all you did for them ..

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21. 50

    leggarnaposted 12 years ago

    My partner and myself don't have children but I think people need to get over this whole business of not smacking their kids. I do agree there is not need to beat the living day lights out of them but a good firm smack on the backside as a child hasn't done me any harm. I am a respectful, hardworking honest individual. I don't see a problem with a bit of physical disipline.

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22. 62

    supplies expertposted 12 years ago

    I think it is inevitable for children to be brats at some point, whether it be from other kids or from tv... I would say as hard as it is just explain to the children that they can't act like that, it's not right. The biggest reason I think children are brats is because people give them too much decision making power too young. they always think they're right and they want it their way, if people stop being pushovers and giving in to every wish and command of their children I think there will be a lot less brats

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23. 61

    Cuttersposted 12 years ago

    Well I wont be using any hot sauce any time soon. That is a fact. If they get to the point where they are being bad then it is  corner time out,  However old the child is is how many min he or she sits there.  Once the time is up they are free to go. If they continue to be a brat as you call it then they go back to the time out corner,  This has worked most of the time. When things are really bad we get nanna involved and that solves the rest of our issues.

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