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Parents encounter various conflicts daily, some trivial and others with familiar patterns leading to predictable outcomes. It’s almost like a game for them – a way to prompt parental intervention. Ultimately, the decision rests with Mom or Dad to either resolve the conflict or favor one child, making it the parent’s responsibility. The trick is to encourage children to resolve their own problems, with parental intervention only when necessary. Occasionally, one child may get away with bad behavior, challenging the others who can’t prove it. Ignoring is a reaction with its own consequences, sometimes effective, sometimes exacerbating the situation, with potential long-term repercussions. Teaching children to ignore has its effects.
Children tend to adapt to their parents’ reactions, emphasizing the need for parents to be astute observers. When parents understand their children’s actions, dealing with them becomes more manageable. Armed with information from keen observation and attentive listening, parents can react constructively. Yelling doesn’t resolve issues; it merely teaches children to use yelling as a means to be heard. Recognizing that some behaviors are hereditary prompts the question of which behaviors parents want their children to inherit.
Children sometimes exhibit behavior as a plea for attention, particularly middle children. Attention is often directed toward the friendly and cooperative child, neglecting others. Each child is unique, even twins. Children are perceptive, learning both from taught and observed behaviors. If children can learn through observation, parents can enhance their parenting. Maintaining balance and ensuring all children receive attention prevents them from questioning their parents’ love.
To foster harmony among children, parents can create games involving everyone’s participation. Parental involvement in the fun allows observation of how engagement occurs as a team. Board games, including Monopoly, Scrabble, and puzzles, are effective, while video games can be incorporated. Rewarding good behavior isn’t bribery but demonstrates the correlation between good deeds and positive outcomes.
