Arguing
ARGUING
A child can only argue with someone who is willing to argue with him.
Children only argue with adults who take the bait.
CONTROLLING ARGUING
When he/she starts to argue
1. give him a choice: “either stay her and stop arguing”
OR
“go someplace else in the house and argue with yourself
– no yelling, no anger, no time-out, no arguing
– you are giving him a choice with wide parameters
(if he continues arguing and he probably will)
2. take away his best previous choice (“staying here” and replace it with a less preferable one): – “either go someplace else and argue”
OR
“go to your room”
– no yelling, anger or arguing
– you are continuing to give choices but the parameters are becoming narrower
(if he continues)
3. keep taking away the best option and replace it with a less preferable option:– “either go to your room
OR
“time out”
4. other options
OR “no TV”
“ fine”
“take away a treasure”
“withdrawal of privileges”
Our hope is that the child will learn to make good decisions for himself – or you will !
