Dear Kid Whisperer,
How do I react in this situation? My daughter was flinging a toy around and I asked her not to, but she had to do it juuust one more time. She pulls this stuff constantly. What do I do?
Jeanine, Chicago IL
How Teachers Can Become the Ultimate Authority Figures in Their Classrooms
Dear Kid Whisperer,
I am an elementary school assistant principal. I need a good referral paper for when kids act up in class and their teachers send them to me so that I know what they did and so that I can talk to them about what they did wrong. It is my job to “put out the fires”, and I hope that a good form will allow me to be more efficient at doing so. –Riki, Iowa
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How to Deal with Violent Sibling Rivalry
Dear Kid Whisperer,
My 5 and 7 year olds have very serious case of sibling rivalry going on: kicking, hitting, and biting each other when they don’t get their way. I really don’t know what to do.
–Marcy, Canton, Ohio
How to Prevent and Consequence Eye-Rolling
Dear Kid Whisperer,
Rolling of the eyes….Any good methods to stop kids from doing this? I thought this action would begin at age thirteen NOT age seven. –Lyndsey, Philadelphia, PA
How to Keep Your Kid from Whining to Get Something
Dear Kid Whisperer,
I need some help with my 8-year-old. I dread taking her into stores because she constantly asks for her mother and I to buy her things. If we say “no,” she whines and begs. While sometimes we give in and buy her things once she has begged for a while, and we do have the occasional tantrum. The whining is what is driving us crazy. How do we avoid the whining and tantrums altogether?
— Patrick, Columbus
How Teachers Can Achieve a Calm, Compliant Classroom
Dear Kid Whisperer,
I teach fifth grade. I follow your column and website and I know that I will be a better teacher this year because of you, so thanks. Anyway, what is the one piece of advice that you would give a teacher like me who has struggled with discipline throughout his career? What’s the one thing that I need to do that will make this school year easier/better?
— Johnathan
Read moreHow Teachers Can Achieve a Calm, Compliant Classroom
How to Respond to ‘Why? Why? Why?’ Questions
Dear Kid Whisperer,
My 3-year-old is driving me crazy. I don’t really know if you can call this a “behavioral problem.” He is doing something that I know is typical, but knowing this hasn’t saved me from losing my mind. He keeps asking me “Why?” about every single little thing that happens! “Why are you doing that?” “Why? Why? Why?” I notice that he’s not even listening to my answer. Do I ignore him? Do I run away? What do I do? — Phil, Omaha, Neb.
How to Get Your Teen to Keep a Clean Room
Dear Kid Whisperer,
I have been having a power struggle with my 16 year old for the last 10 years about the mess in his room. I am exhausted from it. I am embarrassed at how long I have been fighting this battle and how long he has been winning it. I have grounded him, taken away privileges, you name it. Sometimes when I really threaten and yell, he will pick up most of his things. He leaves his stuff around the rest of the house as well. He will be going to college the year after next. Should I just give up on this one and just pick my battles? I’m not sure what to do.
— Sarah
How to Make Students, Not Parents, Responsible for Homework
Dear Kid Whisperer,
OK, maybe you can help. I’m dealing with middle school kids who refuse to do their homework. Aside from making 50 phone calls a day, do you know a way to make THEM accountable? Calling home isn’t working.
–Tina
Read moreHow to Make Students, Not Parents, Responsible for Homework
How to Simultaneously Remove and Train a Belligerent Student
Dear Kid Whisperer,
I appreciate you offering to give me some strategies because my para and I are at our wits’ end. I am in a K-3 ED classroom with five children. I’ve got a great para and we are on the same page – which is important.
The student giving us the blues is a first grade female. When she has an anger/rage episode, it starts w/ her walking around the class (let her do, she wants attention) When she gets no attention & others are great at ignoring, she ups the ante by putting her face into others faces and calling them “bitch” or she’ll touch their desk. Others are still pretty good at ignoring. I praise them for ignoring, she escalates more.
Read moreHow to Simultaneously Remove and Train a Belligerent Student