Child Care
JULY 2006
By Mandy

I thought I'd start out this section of the newsletter by talking about discipline - after all, even the most angelic of children aren't on their best behaviour all the time! :o)

I don't believe in smacking or hitting children - that just hurts everyone involved! My favourite way to discipline children is through time-out. This is suitable for all children over a year old. Do NOT send them to their bedroom when you do this otherwise you'll have trouble getting them to sleep.

My favorite time-out place is at the bottom of the stairs. So, what do you do? You first ask them not to do it again but if they do, explain why they shouldn't do it and that your going to punish them for ignoring your request. You now take them to the stairs (or wherever you choose) and explain to them that they'll stay there and think about what they've done for a minute for each year of their life. For example, if your child is 3 years old, they'll stay at the bottom of the stairs for 3 minutes.

The first few times you do it your child might get up and wander around. If they do this, explain that they need to stay where they are as part of the punishment then take them back and start the time again. When the time is up, hug them and tell them that you love them. They need to know that you still love them even when they are bad.

It's not a magic cure but keep at it and eventually they'll learn that they have to stay where they are otherwise they'll stay there even longer!



From the editor:
Mandy is 28 years old and I lives in England with her hubby, Steve. They don't have any children of our own yet but Mandy is qualified to work with children between the ages of 1 year old and 7 years 11 months and she is studying to get a degree in childcare which will qualify her to work with children from birth to 18 years old.

Mandy chose to do this column for those ladies with children who are looking for a little help. Since she has no children, her column is being reviewed by an experienced hands on mother, who will guide her in writing her column. If you are not comfortable with this column, please don't send nasty e-mails just skip this column and let others read it. Remember this is a newsletter and you don't have to follow or use any of it contents.

What would you like to see in this section? I'm open to any ideas so just email me at me@mandysdepression.com! :o)