Parents and teachers often go to great lengths to figure out what behavioral technique – punishment or praise, carrot or stick, consequence, time-out or reward –is going to be most effective. What’s meant by “most effective” is: what will deliver the greatest ability to influence our child’s or teenager’s behavior so that it falls more in line with what we want it to be. Read on…you may be surprised to discover what what really works.

We hear that we shouldn’t praise our kids. We’re given all these alternative ways to comment on their accomplishments and creations...What should we actually do?

Sometimes our kids can say something that lands right in our Achilles heel - what should we do in these situations?

Sensitive kids need an invitation to express their emotions.

With steadfast warmth and patience, defenses can melt.