Continually Negotiating With Kids Is Exhausting

Do you find yourself worn down from your kids asking for a little more? It might be a little more time to play video games, more time before going to bed or more dessert. Kids have plenty of energy and motivation when it comes to negotiating for something they want!

Sometimes it is appropriate to negotiate with your kids. They may have new ideas or information to consider in your decision.

However, when you are negotiating on things that come up over and over again, it’s time for a rule. You may want to give your kids input on the rule. Once the rule is established though, the rule is enforced without further discussion.

For example, one couple set the rule for their kids that video games playing was a maximum of 60 minutes a day. Video games could only be played after dinner. They stuck firmly to this policy and their kids learned that was the rule and there was no use trying to negotiate!

Smoothly Transitioning Back to School

Transitioning from the laid-back, flexible summer schedule to the intense school schedule can be tough for both you and your kids. Whereas summer days have few deadlines, school has daily deadlines from getting to school on time to turning homework in. No wonder it’s a difficult change to make!

Even if you or your kids are looking forward to fall and school starting, the ending of summer can bring up feelings like sadness, grief and anxiety. All transitions involve an ending. It’s hard to have something you enjoy come to an end. You may still wish to hold onto the summer even as it slips away.

Making the Transition to School Mornings Easier

The first day of school is a stark reminder that transition is here, like it or not! How can you plan ahead to make the transition as smooth as possible for both you and your kids?

One place to start is to look at your morning routine. What does your ideal school morning look like? What drives you crazy in the morning?

Do any of these things stress you out?

• Screaming at your kids to get out of bed?
• Seeing wet towels left on the floor?
• Rushing around in a desperate attempt to find library books that are due?
• Arguing over appropriate clothes to wear to school?
• Scrambling to complete school forms that are due?
• Nagging your kids to brush their teeth?
• Reminding your kids for the umpteenth time to hurry up so they aren’t late?

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Taking Time Out to Sharpen Your Parenting Skills

Would you like to have more fun and less stress with your kids?
Even when you know how you'd ideally like your family to operate, it can be challenging to make those intentions a reality. You don't want to yell at your kids, yet you find yourself yelling. You want your kids to treat you with respect, yet you struggle with this. You want to be on the same parenting page as your spouse and yet you have very different approaches with the kids.
Raising kids is not easy. In these classes we'll explore ideas that can save your sanity and pave a path to a joyful family life. You'll have time to ask questions about specific challenges you are facing.
Space is limited. Register today through EvergreenHealth.com/classes. Choice #1 - for parents with kids ages 1 to 5   Dates: Saturday, September 6th, 9:30 - 4:30 PM Location:  Evergreen Hospital, 12040 NE 128th Street, Kirkland, WA Cost: $99/person or $149/couple Description: Parenting young children can be exhausting! Discover how to set limits on inappropriate behavior, respond to tantrums and whining, recognize developmentally appropriate behavior, encourage cooperation and enjoy more fun together.   Choice #2 - for parents with kids ages 6 to 12   Dates: Saturday, September 13th, 9:30 - 4:30 PM Location:  Evergreen Hospital, 12040 NE 128th Street, Kirkland, WA Cost: $99/person or $149/couple Description: Discover how to parent your kids now in ways that typically produce fantastic teens instead of rebellious, self-destructive teens. Find out how to set reasonable, valuable consequences for your children's misbehavior, guide your kids to resolving their own conflicts, avoid power struggles and have more fun with your kids!   Choice #3 - for parents with kids ages 13 to 18   Dates: Saturday, September 20th, 9:30 - 4:30 PM Location:  Evergreen Hospital, 12040 NE 128th Street, Kirkland, WA Cost: $99/person or $149/couple Description: Develop a parenting approach that matches your teen's growing independence. Discover how to move from confrontation to cooperation, set limits on inappropriate behavior, guide your teens to making healthy decisions and prepare them to successfully launch as young adults.   Choice #4 - for parents who can't attend these classes   You can learn from the comfort of your own home by taking an online parenting class for Ages 5 and Under, 6 to 12 or 13 to 18. Start today! Please join me for the class that best fits your family. If you have any questions, feel free to call me at 425-770-1629. Warm Regards,      Kathy Slattengren, M. Ed.      President, Priceless Parenting P.S. If you know someone who might enjoy taking these classes, please do me a favor and send them a link to this page.