This week I decided MomsMaterial needed something different and new. Therefore, I decided to add a new series, called Daddy Time.
During my social media networking I have found some great articles written by Dads. Some bring a different perspective to the table and others are laugh out loud funny. At the moment, I am not sure how often we will feature Daddy Time, but I hope to make it a regular part of MomsMaterial.
My first Daddy Time guest blogger can be found over at Mocha Dad – The Musings of a Harried Dad In His Quest to Raise Three Kids.
10 Signs Your Children Are Brats
by MochaDad
No child is born a brat, but they are prone to bratty behavior. Even my kids regress into brats periodically. For those parents who are unsure if your children are brats, here are 10 signs to look for:
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They resort to crying or yelling when they want something.
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They throw themselves on floor and won’t get up.
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They constantly throw tantrums or even hit you when you punish them.
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They ignore you when you ask a question.
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They are rude to other adults and even to other children.
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They refuse to share with other children.
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They are show-offs and are constantly trying to one-up their peers to be the center of attention.
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They always want whatever everyone else has. Once they have it, they want something new.
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They keep a messy room and never help out around the house despite your pleas for them to do so.
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They refuse to go to bed.
If your kids exhibit any or all of these behaviors, they might be brats. Don’t fret because there is hope for their bratty behavior and it starts with you.
Here are a few tips from my personal experience that will help curb brattiness:
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Firmly discipline children when they show disrespect – It is important to teach your children that disrespect will not be tolerated. They should be punished immediately and firmly when they disrespect you or other adults.
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Develop consistent routines – Children desire order in their lives and they look to their parents to establish this order. Parents must set strict schedules for bedtime, homework, etc. and stick to them.
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Teach them to be grateful and humble – Brattiness is a symptom of selfishness. When kids learn the importance of serving others, they are more likely to be thankful for the things they have and understand that the world exists beyond themselves.
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Resist the urge to indulge their every whim – As parents, we want to give our children nice things, but does your 8-year old really need an iPhone? Don’t buy them everything they want. Make them earn some things.
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Spend quality time with your children – Sometimes bratty behavior is a cry for attention. Show your children that they are important by giving them your time.
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Compliment your child when he/she does the right thing – Praise works wonders with children. Make sure the praise is sincere, though. Children know when they are being patronized.
If you apply these suggestions, your brats will become angels in no time.
Stay Strong,
About Mocha Dad
My name is Frederick. Some people call me Fred, but you know me as Mocha Dad.
I am a Texan – born and raised and I have the cowboy boots to prove it. However, Texas has not been my only home. I have lived in several southeastern states – some of them I liked, some of them I didn’t, none of them can compare to Texas. My quest is to visit all fifty states. I have made it to 37 so far.
I graduated from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Because I was the first person in my family to graduate from college, I am extremely proud of this accomplishment. But the best thing about my years at Howard was my meeting my wife, KayEm.
I have worked as a mover, controls manager, quality manager, construction project manager, and safety manager. I have also run several businesses: an online collectible toy shop, a wedding and portrait photography studio, and freelance writing and editing company.
In 2008, I started Mocha Dad to chronicle his life as a father and to counter the negative stereotypes regarding black fatherhood. I wanted people to get a first hand account of a black father who is intimately involved in his children’s lives. Now I use to blog to not only capture my experiences as a father, but also to help motivate other fathers to be more actively engaged and involved with their children.
I enjoy music, reading, photography, and surfing the web. But my greatest joy comes from spending time with my wife and three kids.
You can find Mocha Dad on Facebook and Twitter. In addition, he and his wife started a blog together called Making it Last Forever.
Be sure to let me know in the comments below what you think about Daddy Time. If you know any daddy bloggers that should be featured here, please let me know.
Other MomsMaterial Posts You Might Like:
Top 10 Rules to Teach Your Child
Top 3 Things to Teach a Toddler
What Does Your Online Behavior Teach Your Kids
Parenting Coach Barbara Desmarais Asks How PRESENT Are You?
Cammie Moise
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