12 creative parenting measures

1. The “Time In”

If a “time out” doesn’t have the desired effect, try a “time in.” Your child completes a specific task at a fixed place. This can be, for example, threading 50 beads onto a thread or writing down the alphabet.

2. The alarm clock

Set clear boundaries with an alarm clock. “I want you to tidy your room in 15 minutes. If you don’t finish by the time the alarm goes off, what happens…” This encourages easily distracted children and leaves little room for discussion.

3. The speeding ticket can

Set out a “ticket” can and fill it with slips of paper with different consequences written on them. If your child misbehaves, it draws a “penalty ticket”. Some ideas might include banning television or computers that night or going to bed earlier.

4. Adjusted bedtimes

Adjust the bedtime according to your child’s behavior. For every “rule violation” you have to go to bed five minutes earlier. If he’s well behaved, he can also delay bedtime by five minutes.

5. The butler

If your kids are constantly dawdling, try this: whoever sits last at the lunch table has to distribute the food and drinks for all family members. However, there is a catch: whoever sits first at the table must also have clean hands, otherwise that person has to take over the task.

6. The tongue grip

If your child says things you don’t want, take the “shut your tongue” warning literally. Have your child stick out their tongue and hold it with two fingers.

7. The command

If things get out of hand between siblings in the back seat of the car, try this: When commanded, “Put your noses on your knees!” the children must immediately touch their knees with their noses until the command is resolved.

8. The folder

The next time your child “forgets” to put something away, put it away instead. If it then asks where the item is, tell it it must be looking for it. In this way, your child learns that it is more work to look for an item that mom put away than to put it in the right place immediately.

9. The Schlager penalty

If your older children are constantly being reckless and loud in your presence, the following may help: If the children don’t take their “theater” to another room, they have to listen to hit songs for ten minutes. Torture for teenagers!

10. The code word

If your little one gets too excited from time to time, come up with a code word together to remind them to calm down. In this way, you can make it clear to your child in public, without embarrassing them, that it is time to calm down.

11. The pounder

If your child likes to stomp into their room when they’re angry, send them outside to stomp on the floor for a minute. It probably wants to stop after 15 seconds.

12. The Anger Killer

Another way to deal with mood swings is to simply say, “This is too much of a problem for this house. You may continue your tantrum in the garden. When you’re done, you can come back inside.” When there’s no audience, the allure of a tantrum is quickly gone.