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Community Connections, Fall 2002

Common Sense Parenting
By Jane Beilein, MHA in Niagara County

Recently the Mental Health Association in Niagara County, Inc. sponsored a "Common Sense Parenting" program that consisted of 5 sessions of 2 hour trainings for parents. The parents who attended agreed it was well worth the time. They were able to immediately apply the parenting techniques they learned from the training. Parents were given timers for use with their children. Parents also received the Common Sense Parenting manual. Evaluations were completed and parents will be asked to evaluate the program in two months and again in six months.

The trainers used are parents who have children diagnosed with a serious emotional disorder and are received extensive training through "Common Sense Parenting" previous to training others.

Some of the tips the trainers shared with parents who are raising a child(ren) with a serious emotional disorder are the following:

  • Be clear about what you expect. Parental expectations must be based on the child's age and development;

  • Tell the child exactly what behavior you dislike;

  • Use simple language and as few extra words as possible;

  • Reward good behavior whenever possible. Praise the child(ren) whenever possible;

  • Teach the child there is a consequence to behavior (add a chore or remove a privilege);

  • Teach your child(ren) social skills. (Table manners, to look at the person who is speaking to him/her, to listen when being spoken to, to apologize, to respond in a calm way.)
Trainers also encouraged parents to:
  • Pay attention to what your child(ren) watch on television and what music they listen to;

  • Watch TV and movies with the child(ren);

  • Be a role model for good behavior;

  • Stay calm;

  • Be consistent and clear;

  • Remember, learning self-control is a process for both children and parent.

Common Sense Parenting is a step by step guide for raising responsible kids and building happy families. The authors are Ray Burke, Ph.D and Ron Herron. The publisher is Boys Town Press, Boys Town, Nebraska.

The Mental Health Association in Niagara County has applied for a grant and plans to offer this training in the spring of 2003. We hope to invite the parents who completed the training to demonstrate to new parents how and why Common Sense Parenting has helped them.

posted 9/17/02