Teaching Kids to Make Wise Choices

As soon as a parent pleads with their child, the child is in control - they are calling the shots. This is not where a parent should be at any time in parent-child dynamics. We do not subscribe to the concept of ‘the child-centered home’. We believe the home should be ‘parent directed, family orientated and outward focused’.

I am also amazed at the amount of choice parents give their toddlers. In the market, I see a parent in the cereal aisle. They are handing the child boxes of cereal and saying, “Would you like this one, or this one, or this one, or this?” Children of this age don’t need to be presented with any more than two choices at the most. Giving a child no choices is dangerous because they will eventually rebel. However, giving one of two choices to a very small child is adequate.

When parents give children choices in everything from clothes to vacation locations, they often think they can choose in all areas of life. This is not the case. Life isn’t like that.

Kids need to be taught how to make good choices. They should be given clear expectations from toddlers through to adulthood. They learn to make good choices by - a) parent role modeling, b) having the results of potential choices explained to them before they make decisions, c) being coached after making wrong choices, d) being praised for making good choices.

If you have any comments, questions or success stories to share on this subject, please contact us through our website on www.forefrontfamilies.org