Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  ttps://youtu.be/YZQ4NNpfZ1Y   After my years as a camp counselor, raising 4 kids, and caring for children and their parents as a pediatric otolaryngologist for 40 years, here are my go-to principles for effective parenting.   ONE. Consistency.  Establish reasonable boundaries that create security.  Offer praise and rewards for remaining within them.  Use a carrot versus a stick.  Announce consequences for violations.  Say what you’ll do and do what you say.   TWO: TWO: Responsibility.  Allow progressive decision-making within limited choice boundaries even for infants and toddlers.  Child refuses food.  You say, “Do you want apples or peaches?” Have a balky, uncooperative teen?  “Do you want garbage or yard duty?”   THREE: Distraction.   When the inevitable poor behaviors and disagreements arise, distract using redirection to a different activity or location and…..   FOUR: Humor.  Laughter and smiles are powerful parenting tools.  Don’t be afraid to clown around and show love in a offbeat ways.   #p