2013-06-19T09:03:25-04:00 Naomi Richards http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/index.php?author=naomi-richards Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Naomi Richards Good old fashioned elbow grease. tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.1015507 2011-10-17T10:10:50-04:00 2011-12-17T05:12:01-05:00

Naomi Richards http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-richards/
1. We can set our children with private profiles so that they can talk to their friends in a closed environment.

2. We can monitor what they're doing online by checking the history on the computer.

3. We can put the home computer in a central part of the house so that everyone has access to it and the screen is visible to all and not allow any screen that has internet connection in bedrooms.

4. Teach them what is appropriate language to use and the amount of information to give out when you don't know who the audience is.
What other limitations do you set when your child is using socially interactive games and websites? How do you ensure the safety of your child when friending options are limitless?]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.1004613 2011-10-11T06:09:34-04:00 2011-12-11T05:12:01-05:00

Naomi Richards http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-richards/
If you want to improve your relationship with your child why not try out the following:

1. Take time to talk daily about your child's day. Listen when they are talking to you and show you are interested.
2. Set clear rules and boundaries together and let your child make a few up themselves. Talk about the consequences of rule breaking so your child knows what will happen if they do.
3. Recognise and acknowledge your child's feelings and notice when their behaviour changes. Changes in behaviour mean they are feeling something (good or bad).
4. Give them responsibility for their age and praise them when they do something right or when they do something without asking.
5. Think about what and how you say things to them and prepare them for what is going to happen next, 'In 10 minutes we will .....'
6. Be consistent. Having a stable routine and structure is key to a child's life as it is to many of us.

Have you any more to add? If so, please leave a comment so we can share parenting ideas.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.987095 2011-09-29T10:58:12-04:00 2011-11-29T05:12:01-05:00

Naomi Richards http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-richards/
Why? Because they are misbehaving.

Why? Because they have no interest in the lesson

So what do they do? They talk, they are silly etc

They end up on report or in detention regularly and they and their parents want it to stop.

One way I get them to re-focus and be interested is by asking them what do they want to do with their life? What is their end goal? If that's their goal what do they have to do to reach it? Yes they need qualifications and that means they need to listen and pay attention in class.

It works every time. How do you as a parent get your child to concentrate and be interested in the classroom?]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.977811 2011-09-23T11:26:34-04:00 2011-11-23T05:12:02-05:00

Naomi Richards http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-richards/
The task was two weeks long and I had to remember the things he had done to help me or another person. No matter how small the 'good deed' was I had to see or hear it, register it, remember it and put it on a gem when we got home (the good deeds mainly happened outside of the house, don't ask me why).

The project tested my memory but also made me more aware of what he was doing when he was with me. The first couple of days he was really trying to get gems - picking something off the floor that someone had dropped, putting money in a charity tin, etc. Then he forgot about the project so he got less gems. He got some though - he laid the table for me and tidied his toys away when I asked him to.

I think the project was good for me, as well as him, as I got to really tune in to how responsive he is to me and how thoughtful he is. I think this idea can make children really think about what they are doing for others. We often use stickers and rewards charts for children to behave in the way we want them to but I don't think we place much emphasis on children doing something for another person, with or without prompt.

I think the gems are a lovely motivational idea. What do you think?]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.971259 2011-09-20T05:58:25-04:00 2011-11-20T05:12:02-05:00

Naomi Richards http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-richards/ here>>]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.961973 2011-09-14T10:28:02-04:00 2011-11-14T05:12:01-05:00

Naomi Richards http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-richards/
Whatever the reason, I have realised one thing. If we, as parents, show that we are interested in an activity then our children are more likely to show interest and want to join in. For example, if you love geography why not talk to your child about the world, bring out an Atlas or a globe and do a quiz. Ask them where do you find x country? what language do the inhabitants speak? what's the local currency? capital city? size of the country or population? There are numerous questions you could ask to turn the subject into a fun and educational experience.

You could also look at articles on the internet together or look at books or magazines around a subject. My husband received his latest copy of National Geographic and in there was a poster of a storm cloud that he thought our eldest would like. He showed him the picture, he loved it and now it's on his wall. He is nurturing him to take an interest.

Passing on your passion can really help your children learn especially if you do it in a fun and interesting way that they are responsive to. What school work are you able to help your child with and does your passion shine through? Can you relate any experiences with your children that you would want to share with others here?]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.955195 2011-09-09T07:34:05-04:00 2011-11-09T05:12:02-05:00

Naomi Richards http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-richards/
Children love counting down time and races. Why not give them a ten minute warning before you are going to leave the house and put the stopwatch on for ten minutes at the same time. Your children can then keep an eye on the amount of time they have left whilst putting on their socks, shoes, coat etc.

What ways do you motivate your child to be ready and waiting?]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.949092 2011-09-05T09:00:47-04:00 2011-11-05T05:12:03-04:00

Naomi Richards http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-richards/

• Nurture their passion to succeed


• Give them self-confidence and encourage them in all that they do


• Make them aware of possible obstacles


• Tell them that hard work and perseverance are needed


• Get them to enjoy working hard and applying themselves


• What tips do you have to help your child do well at school?

]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.946263 2011-09-02T07:17:58-04:00 2011-11-02T05:12:01-04:00

Naomi Richards http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-richards/
Actions speak louder than words!

Children who are worried about going back to school:

- Are more likely to tantrum
- Are more clingy
- May have trouble sleeping
- May have headaches or stomach aches
- They may be more withdrawn
- May hide their feelings
- May also get angry or short tempered
- Can be moody
- Bite their nails

We can make the school return easier by talking to our children and let them know it's normal to feel this way. We can also help them by making sure they're getting enough sleep and exercise, before the term starts, as both help keep stress levels down. Finally we need to make sure that if we have feelings of anxiety of them going back to school that they don't pick up on them.

How have you helped your child prepare for their new school year?]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.929034 2011-08-17T08:06:08-04:00 2011-10-17T05:12:01-04:00

Naomi Richards http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-richards/

• Is it because you are not looking at them whilst they are speaking?


• Is it because you aren't validating their feelings or their thoughts?


• Are you nodding your head?


• Are you distracted by something else that is going on?


• Are you saying all those acknowledgement words such as 'oh yes', 'really'?


• Do you probe them with questions?


• Is it because you jump in with your thoughts about what they are saying before your child has finished talking?


• By listening to your child and what they have to say you are showing them respect and a skill that you want them to inherit.

What do you do to show you are listening?]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.918246 2011-08-10T11:45:23-04:00 2011-10-10T05:12:02-04:00

Naomi Richards http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-richards/
I initially wrote it after a chance conversation with two parents about their defiant children. One parent believed their child had a disorder called Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) and the other parent thought that their child's defiance was part of who they were and would grow out of it. The latter child simply refused to do anything that his parents asked him to do unless they were coerced.

Thinking about both sets of parents, I wonder if it is possible to tell if a child has a disorder such as this one at a young age (under 6), especially since other disorders are recognised when children are slightly older. Most parents would see their strong willed child as the person they are and expect their child to be pushing the boundaries, so what makes other parents think differently?

Well when you look at the signs of ODD you will see why. Parents recognise that their child's 'defiant' behaviour is not the norm because it is more persistent, it has lasted more than six months; and their child is disruptive to their family, home and school environment.

Children with ODD also show signs of negativity, disobedience and can be hostile to towards authority figures and they may also show consistent signs of:

• Temper tantrums
• Being argumentative with adults
• Refuse to comply with adult requests or rules
• Deliberately annoy other people
• Blame others for mistakes or their misbehaviour
• Act touchy and become easily annoyed
• Show anger and resentment
• Be spiteful
• Aggressive towards peers
• Find it difficult to maintain friendships

ODD seems to be much more recognised in the US and almost unheard of here. If you have a defiant child who shows these symptoms and you think there is more to it, it is worth getting them checked out as early invention can prevent greater problems.]]>