Hi Claire,

I just read your article, and found it interesting. Some of the points made may seem "basic", but my sense is that many parents don't follow them, or at least need reminding - for instance, that Children Need Positive Attention (as do adults). If we think about it, there are so many opportunities for most of us to give positive attention, but often it is the things we don't like (misbehavior) that gets us to say something.

Another point you bring out that resonates with me is how important and worthwhile it is to explain our thinking to children. Even when children disagree with us, which can seemingly be all the time, they can understand and learn when we explain. If we remain silent, our actions seems arbitrary - or worse, children may well invent 'explanations' of their own that place blame on themselves for things they haven't done. Just like other adults, children can't read our minds.

Lee  Chabin