How To Eat Out with Whining & Fighting Kids, Part 2

For parents…

Do not make the rules unless you are serious about them.
You have to be serious about the rules before implementing them, or else you weaken your credibility and effectiveness on your kid. 

Be steady in your decision. 

Be more stead in your follow-through with clear consequences in public. Don’t be afraid of taking action. Instead, cherish the possibility to teach every time it’s available to you!

Whatever be the situation or your stamina level, you have to be steady in your execution of your game plan. However, do not expect your kid to learn immediately or at the first trip of eating out. Teach your child from the consequences, and not from the threat of consequences. Even if you are too tired to take your kid to the car for breaking the rule, you have to take him or her. You must honor your word. If you skip, then your rules will have no effect. 

Do Not Nag, Preach, Remind, And Correct Constantly

Avoid paying attention to your kid’s unwanted behavior, or else you will encourage it to grow. When your kid starts showing minor behavior, turn your attention elsewhere, and try to ignore. If tantrums unfold at the table, simply give minimal attention to it and take him or her to the car. Correcting or lecturing will not help. 

Notice Your Kids When They Are Behaving Properly

Acknowledge your kids with a smile, a nod, or a touch when they are quiet and under control at the table. This encourages the development of healthy behavior, at home and outside. 

Remember, kids learn by experiencing the consequences, not just by hearing the threat. 

That’s the bottom line version:  Kids learn from consequences, and you will need to plan that YOU WILL TAKE ACTION.  This means a calm, plan-fully executed, and delivered with agenda to preach, demand or force the learning.  It will happen, but not because of what you say…but because of what you do!

Best of luck!  And do consider my specialty parenting programs, to help you with public behaviors and acting out.  My suggestion is that you consider the Essential Parenting Home Study Package.  It is the most comprehensive package I offer, and it is chocked full of powerful, life changing strategies that get you…and your kids…back on a healthy track for life success!

Randy L. Cale, PhD