The patience technique

The patience technique

One problem Supernanny Jo Frost found when she visited the Dostal family was that dad Bill’s impatience with his son’s bad behavior was leading to harsh punishment that often didn’t fit the crime.

Good behavior is a two-way street – it involves your child listening and you offering guidance. So how can you find the patience you need to achieve it? Supernanny used this fun way to show Brian and his 5-year-old son how to set the stage for positive discipline and good behavior…

I really had to think and slow down and put my mind frame into that 5-year-old head – it helped me be patient!
Dad Bill Dostal

 

Step 1

Gather up a bowl or bucket and 10 golf balls or small toys (toy cars are ideal).

Step 2

Place the bucket anywhere you like in your back yard and design an obstacle course around it: use your lawn furniture, throw cushions, large toys such as trikes and bikes, your child’s jungle gym – anything that takes your fancy (avoid using potentially dangerous yard equipment such as push mowers). Alternately, play the game at a local playground and use the play equipment as your obstacle course.

Step 3

Place the golf balls or small toys randomly among the obstacles, leaving 10-15 fet between each.

Step 4

Blindfold your child and help him to find the golf balls or toys and make his way over to the bucket to drop them in by giving him directions: ‘left’, ‘right’, ‘straight on’ ‘three big steps’ – you get the picture

Step 5

Now it’s your turn to wear the blindfold and let your child guide you!

What your child has learned He needs to listen carefully!
What you’ve learned That discipline is about clear instruction and guidance – not raised voices and clips around the head!

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