How Did She Do?
Good work, Mom!Dog Teasing
Four-year-old Michael has the dog backed into a corner and pushed
up against the wall. The dog, normally patient, looks uncomfortable.
Mom intervenes.
“Michael, please don’t tease the dog, honey.”
(Michael giggles and continues pushing the dog against the wall.)
“That’s 1.”
“No! I wanna pet him.” (For the first time, the dog snarls.)
“That’s 3. Take five. The dog is mad and could bite you.”
“I WANNA PET HIM!” (Michael falls on floor, releasing the dog,
but yelling and crying. Mom carries the unwilling body to the
bedroom for time-out.)
How Did She Do?
Couldn’t have done it better. When the dog snarled, Mom went straight to 3
because of the danger. No talking while “escorting” the child to the rest period.Bedtime Problem
It’s nine o’clock in the evening. Alex is playing an electronic game on
the couch in the living room. His mother enters the room.
“Alex, it’s time to get ready for bed.”
(Entranced with his game, Alex does not respond at all.)