MrHowd.com

April 8th, 2026

Ask what’s missing

Originally posted 2015-12-19 07:13:07. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Posted in Parent Tips | By Christian Howd Be the first to comment »

April 1st, 2026

React vs. Respond

The American College of Pediatricians has a good article about the difference between reacting versus responsding to kids.

Reacting means that you meet your child’s emotionally-charged behavior with your own emotionally-charged reply. Responding, on the other hand, gives your child permission to express their big emotions, ideas and feelings without criticism, shame or guilt.”

Read the rest here.

id1629695_228830-Do-You-React-Or-Respond-To-Your-Kids

Originally posted 2016-04-11 19:47:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Posted in Parent Tips | By Christian Howd Be the first to comment »

March 25th, 2026

How to help your student get started on work

Some students struggle with getting started on homework or other work at home. It can become a battle of wills or a temptation to issue threats and assert control. Love and Logic suggests looking for ways to share control and give choices, before things get difficult:

Will you be starting your schoolwork now or in five minutes?
What do you want to start with? Math or reading?
Do you want to make a goal of working for 30 minutes before your break, or would 25 minutes be better?
Will you be doing your work while sitting or standing?
Do you think it would be best to draft something on pencil or paper… or begin your work directly on the computer?
Would you like my help or would you prefer working alone?
Do you want to learn in the kitchen or in the family room?
Will you be working while keeping your body still, or would you rather see how much you can wiggle while still getting it done?
Should we start with the hardest part first or the easiest?
Would you rather help me with chores or get started on your schoolwork?

The key to success with this technique involves remembering three things:

Give most of your choices before your child becomes resistant… not after.
With each choice provide two options, each of which you like.
Be prepared to choose for your child if they don’t select an option you provided.

Read the rest of the article here.

Originally posted 2020-04-20 09:44:47. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Posted in Parent Tips | By Christian Howd Be the first to comment »

March 18th, 2026

How to end the battles over getting ready

If your children are constantly battling you in the morning over getting ready quick enough, finding their supplies, and getting out the door on their own and without constant reminders, then Love and Logic has some tips that might help:

Schedule some time to plan and practice when you aren’t in a hurry.
Take yourself out of the loop as much as possible (the more you have to remind, the less your student is learning to do these things by themselves).
Focus on getting yourself ready. This is a good way to model how things ought to be.
Look for ways to give logical consequences, such as a student forgetting their homework or having to go to school in mismatched clothes.
Create a backup plan for if a student doesn’t get ready on time.

Here’s what Love and Logic has to say about the last point:

Some parents find it wise to have someone secretly on call. If the kids miss the bus, this person can arrive and charge them for taxi service to school.
By the time they reach kindergarten age, our kids… with good training and consistency on our part… can learn to take primary responsibility for getting themselves up and ready to go each and every day. Kids who learn this find it far more natural to assume personal responsibility in other areas of their lives.

You can read the rest of the article here.