Chapter 13: Setting Limits

This Chapter was added as a response to some frequently asked questions during the workshops. Two primary concepts are addressed:

1. Clearly tell a child what the behavior you expect of him is, or what you want him to do in the immediate situation, in as short a statement as possible.

2. At any point your actions/reactions can be used to increase attention in ways you did not perceive. Re-evaluate situations that are no longer working for you to assess how the situation has been manipulated to gain negative attention. A step by step example is given in regaining control over situations.

Though valid for all age groups, it is of particular importance for the youngest children, one year old and up. Too frequently parents are under the impression that younger children are unable to control their reactions to most situations, where in reality, this is such a behavior forming time that they desperately need guidance.