Happy New Year

It's almost here! Thanks for reading my blog. You’re welcome to share it via Twitter, Facebook, or forward to someone who may benefit from it too. This year, I hope you'll encourage soon-to-be or new parents with a gift copy of The Birth to Five Book, available online at http://bit.ly/6KMItC or get signed copies from me. To receive a signed copy mail $12 (incl S&H) to me at: P.O. Box 1302 | Mount Vernon, OH 43050. Hurry, this offer ends at the end of January.

Now, what's your New Year discipline resolution?

Not screaming.

More patience.

Set boundaries . . . and keep 'em!

Teach self-controlled behaviors.

Get my kid toilet trained.

Make 'em listen to me.

Show that I love them even if they think I'm mean.

Move my teen out of the house.

Does one of the above fit your discipline goal for the new year or do you have your own?

When I was a new mom, one of my parenting goals was to practice discipline with an instructive attitude. I didn't adopt the attitude that my kids were in a me-against-you war. Rather I tried to maintain the attitude that they needed my help to know right from wrong, how to gain satisfaction in appropriate ways, and how to succeed in life through appropriate talk and behavior.

Have you thought about your goal in discipline? I'd love to hear it. Leave your comment below and tell me what you'll strive for in the coming year.

©Copyright, 2011, Brenda Nixon. The Birth to Five Book available Amazon.com. Follow my work and life in 140 characters on Twitter.

Look at Me

One of my pet peeves is talking to a person who looks over my head (that's easy, I'm short) or at his watch and acts as if something - or someone else - is more important. I feel devalued, useless, invisible.

It's painful when people we love don't listen to us. But, do we do that to children? Do we make them feel as if our agenda is more important than what they have to share?

In your daily discipline, remember to look at your child - not over his head. Eye contact sends a powerful message that he is worthwhile and worthy of your time. Remember the old adage, "The eye is the pathway to the heart."

So what's one of your pet peeves. Feel free to comment below.

Cabin Fever?

This time of year when gray skies and cold temps keep most kids indoors, cabin fever sets in. The fever causes misbehavior because kids are antsy, bored, whiny and easily upset. You might see more sibling rivalry or tattling. If you're feeling the walls closing in on your family and misbehavior mounting, try this therapeutic activity: Enjoy an indoor picnic.

Picnics elicit fond outdoor memories. Talk to your kids about picnics they remember. Who was there? Where was the picnic? What'd they eat? Share your childhood memories of picnics, too!

Hold your picnic today, at an indoor "beach" and wear summer clothes. Use a basket and beach blanket. Sit on the blanket in your living- or family room; munch on picnic-type foods. Talk about birds and nature. Read books or sing songs together; if you have a young tot, sing the Teddy-bear picnic song.

Spending uninterrupted time with kids can help ease their stress and you'll see better behavior. Plus you'll fortify physical skills like eye-hand coordination; cognitive skills through problem solving; language skills by talking, and social/emotional skills through the art of pretend -- this is good discipline.

Remember "bad" behavior can be avoided or improved through productive play.

The Birth to Five Book: Confident Childrearing Right from the Start is available online http://is.gd/jaTZ or buy signed copies from me by mailing $12 per book (U.S. only) to: P.O. Box 1302 | Mount Vernon, OH 43050. Finally, for fun, fast facts follow me on twitter .

(C)Copyright 2011, Brenda Nixon.

Discipline Demands Attention

Why does it seem discipline is always on parents' minds? As a professional speaker, why is it my #1 requested presentation? Because it never ends! Discipline is ongoing. You can't lie back on your hind-end with the remote and expect kids to behave.

The need for guiding a child's behavior occurs from infancy into adolescence. Discipline is needed when a tot is behaving inappropriately and you need to change that behavior. Some parents mistakenly think that once they correct their kid, the problem is solved. But children need constant & consistent reminders on how to act. They're looking to you for guidance.

Yep, discipline is exhausting but, hang in there! Be patient with yourself and with your kids.

If you want 8 strategies for getting kids to mind, email me, speaker2parents at juno.com, for my 1-hour CD, "Creative Discipline." The price is $12 (including S&H).* Or mail a $12 check or money order to me: PO Box 1302, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. I'll get it to you as soon as I receive your order and return address.

*U.S. orders/shipment only. International rates will apply.

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Your hour of parent empowerment is Tuesday morning, 10-11 am (EST) on The Parent's Plate radio show with me, your host. Click the link and listen on your computer or download on iTunes.