3 Tricks For Well-Behaved Kids

I dream about having well behaved children.  Sometimes my two kids are perfect angels! For instance, last night when I tucked them both into their beds… angels!  This morning about 10:00 on our way out the door… not so much.

Sometimes I look at other moms with seemingly well behaved children and I wonder how they do it. What's the secret?  Brittany, the author of Equipping Godly Women, knows the secret and she's sharing it!  Here are her 6 tricks for raising well-behaved children:

1. Equip Yourself

When I was pregnant with my first child, I seriously read pretty much every single book in the library about babies, parenting, sleep, etc. After all, why would I want to stumble through parenting making lots of mistakes when I could learn from those who had done it already? As a result, I got a TON of great advice that really impacted my parenting in a positive way.

2. Be Clear In Your Expectations

How can your children behave appropriately if you don’t first tell them what appropriate behavior is? Young children don’t automatically know how to behave at church. in the library or at a restaurant–you have to spell it out for them, preferably before you get there.

Obviously, the exact wording you use will depend on the age of your child and whether you’ve already been over the routine before.

If you’ve already laid the ground rules, you may just cover the bases as you’re pulling in the parking lot.

Obviously, the exact wording you use will depend on the age of your child and whether you’ve already been over the routine before.

If you’ve already laid the ground rules, you may just cover the bases as you’re pulling in the parking lot.

3. Be Consistent

When it comes to discipline, consistency is key. Otherwise, if you get in the habit of ignoring behaviors or giving in to demands, your children will learn that all they have to do is act up and they will get their way. Once you set rules, stick to them.

Consistency may be difficult at first–you may feel like the worst mother in the world–but once your children see that you mean what you say, they will have no reason to fight you on it. This can help behavior tremendously.

I try to be clear in my expectations with my children and I know it's important to be consistent, but it's not always easy!  I also really like Brittany's thoughts on equipping ourselves for mothering.  I remember reading so many books before my son was born! I was like Brittany, I read everything.  I don't think I've picked up a parenting book since his first birthday.  Maybe I'll take some time at the local library this week equipping myself for age 3.

What else does she suggest for raising well behaved children?  She writes about modeling the behaviors we expect to see for our children and dishing out lots of grace as part of her essential tricks.  Learn more at Equipping Godly Women.