| Great social skills include good manners. Good | | | | behavior problem, a good question to ask is, |
| manners include proper words. Inside you'll find 3 | | | | "What is my child gaining from this negative |
| parenting tips for ending potty talk including one | | | | behavior?" Jennifer, the wise mother that she is, |
| that builds character with laughter. This Social Skill | | | | already knew. She wrote that her daughter got |
| Problem is from Jennifer: Hearty laughter is like | | | | attention and giggles from her friends when using |
| sunshine among kids. If you're a parent like | | | | potty talk. The second question to ask is, "How |
| Jennifer, you might not agree. Jennifer wrote that | | | | can my child get attention and giggles without the |
| her 7 year-old-daughter gets her friends to giggle | | | | potty talk? Brainstorm some answers. For |
| with potty talk. This is such a common problem. | | | | instance, you might take your child to the library |
| What can you, Jennifer, and other parents do to | | | | and have her check out a joke book. Then have |
| end the potty talk and build character too? First | | | | fun times practicing the jokes. You might ask her |
| Parenting Tip for Ending Potty Talk: Pretend you | | | | to share a joke each night at the family dinner, |
| are Jennifer. You could put your daughter in Time | | | | with her classmates, and with her friends. Social |
| Out. She's 7, so 7 minutes should do. When Time | | | | Skills Conclusion: Consider using the above tips |
| Out is over, ask her what she said that was | | | | separately or all 3 together. For instance, Time |
| wrong. If she answers correctly, you could say, | | | | Out is easy to use at home. Losing a privilege is |
| "Yes," and let her go. No lectures! No yelling! No | | | | easy both at home and away from home. Of |
| nagging! Second Parenting Tip for Ending Potty | | | | course, checking out joke books from the library |
| Talk: When your daughter potty talks, ask her, | | | | is a fun way to learn new clean humor. Practicing |
| "Which privilege do you want to lose?" If she | | | | clean jokes create happy times with your |
| answers, "I can't play with friends for the rest of | | | | daughter, the family, and her friends too. Funny |
| the day," you'd need to agree with her suggestion | | | | people add sunshine to our lives. Getting others to |
| before using it. Next, you'd need to follow through | | | | laugh with good clean humor is an excellent social |
| by taking away the privilege. Third Parenting Tip | | | | skill to teach your kids. It builds character too. |
| for Ending Potty Talk: When your child has a | | | | |