>> MAKE DREADED TASKS FUN

One common theme of most successful parenting tips is “fun.” If you want your children to do something that they dread, add a dose of fun or turn it into an entertaining game. You will be amazed at how quickly their attitude changes. It works for most parenting challenges, such as chores (pick up toys until the music stops.), baths (add a few drops of food coloring to the water), haircuts (distract the child with TV, favorite snacks or a mirror placed on his lap.), long car rides (open an inexpensive prize bag each hour), diaper changing (float a colorful Mylar balloon over your child’s head to distract her), eating vegetables (host a “happy hour” before dinner with fun music and veggies with a dip), taking medications (lick a sucker before and after bad-tasting medicines), potty training (throw a few Cheerios in the toilet bowl and let your son make it a game of “target practice”).

Apply this same concept to a behavior that you want your child to improve upon. With a little creativity, you can turn an unpopular task into a highlight of his or her day. Share your specific ideas with me.