Why Do Kids Do That?

When my girls were young, they often asked, "Why Mom?" Sometimes I thought my ears would bleed from overuse!

Ever notice the first "bye-bye" wave of a baby is backward - like he's waving at himself?

Have you walked through a mall and watched stroller-restricted toddlers drop their pacifier or toys?

Truth is; kids are natural born learners. Babies imitate what THEY see and wave back from their perspective. Toddlers are learning to control their grip and release.

So what does this have to do with discipline, Brenda? Much of a child's behavior is NOT to get on your last nerve; it's a part of normal development. When we understand growing children go through stages of development, which brings with it some annoying behaviors, we can adapt our expectations and discipline.

Remember, kids can be wild, whiny, and wasteful. They must be taught to calm, talk in a "big" voice or to reuse. Today, I encourage you to remember that some of what your child is doing might be a time-limited, developmental phase. In your discipline (teaching correct behavior) remember to remain:

• Instructional
• Patient
• Kind
• Consistent
• Loving
• Generous
• Proactive
• Self-controlled
• Understanding
• Encouraging

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