Parenting Tips

By Myrna B. Shure, Ph.D

What do you do when your child won't listen to you, hits other kids or takes away their toys? What do you do when he cries? Sponsored by the WHYY Children's Service, we are now offering new ways to talk to kids - the problem solving way - about school, holidays, and everyday problems between sibs, children and their teachers, their friends, and - you.

How is the problem solving way of talking to kids unique? It teaches children how to think, not what to think in ways that will help them make good decisions about problems that come up in their lives. Too often we do the thinking for our kids by telling them what to do, and even explain why. We must give our kids the skills they need to solve everyday problems for themselves - and - equally important, the freedom to use those skills.

As early as preschool, children who can solve problems important to them now will be able to solve problems important to them later. They'll care more about others, make more friends, and make life easier for you.

These parenting tips are expanded versions of the ones you can hear on WHYY-FM, Monday through Wednesday at 2:41PM and 9:29PM.

After you've read our tips, take a minute to take our survey. We want to know what you think.