3 Terrific Tools for Parents

With summer’s slightly slower pace and more relaxed schedule, I feel the need, more than ever, to instill some kind of structure and order in our lives, and to work on making progress in the areas that often get overlooked during the school year. This summer, my focus is on two main things for both girls: brushing up on their reading and writing, teaching them to do a better job of picking up after themselves, and practicing good table manners. Here, a few of the tools that will help me do just that…

1. Love and Logic Strategies: I am rereading my Love and Logic for Early Childhood, and there are some great ideas and tips in there. Maybe I need to stop feeling, now that I have a 6 year old and a 4 year old, that I need to commit, wholeheartedly, to one system of discipline and just pick and choose what works for me from a variety of systems. I like Love and Logic and New Kid by Friday because the focus is on immediate consequences, carried out in a loving way, and the elimination of whining, begging, and negotiating. Oh, and anger. These are going to be challenges for me, but I am prepared to try them, especially with my youngest, and especially when it comes to asking them to pick up. My new motto: “Feel free to keep the toys you put away.” The rest will go into a large plastic bin, and can be earned back, with a little hard work.

2. Accountable Kids: My friend Jean told me about this system, which offers kids an opportunity to be held accountable for their actions, to play a role in the family, and to earn rewards for extra special behavior. I have tried and failed at chore charts in the past – but this one is so complete and so much fun (for the kids and for me) that it just might work!). I finally ordered it, so check back here for a review in a month or so!

3. PaperSalt: On a lighter note, I’ve recently discovered PaperSalt, a hip, inventive publishing company that creates these gorgeous, stand-up books for families on topics such as healthy living and good manners. The table manners book, for example, is designed to be opened to a different page every night, so that each family member can practice what is on the page. I’ve already ordered a few of my favorites for my own family and to give as gifts. My top pick: “We do”, with a list of things the family stands for, like “We do… honesty. We tell the truth.” I also adore “Being a Girl” and “Dinner Table Manners.” Genius!
tools for parents