Keeping Caregivers on the Same Page
As a parent you want what is best for your children, so you teach them right from wrong, to have manners, and listen to adults. With that comes discipline; with discipline comes the need for consistency. It can be frustrating when other caregivers in your child’s life do not follow the same
lines of discipline you do. To help bridge the gap between yourself and other caregivers, it is important to open the lines of communication:
4 Steps To Keep Your Caregivers On The Same Page:
- Be clear and let them know ‘WHY’ you are doing what you are doing. If they have an understanding of how their actions effect the child, they may think twice about foregoing the timeout.
- When you are together, model for them the way you would like the discipline to be implemented.
- Share with them articles, books, etc. that you are reading to help them understand your viewpoint.
- If behavior charts are in place, teach other caregivers how to implement them. It may also be helpful to write out simple rules and place them next to the chart.
If inconsistency is inevitable, and your children are on a visit or long stay without you, do not fret. When they return home, go back to what you were doing before.