An Ounce of Prevention

is worth a pound of cure!

You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar!

Both of these sayings can apply to raising children, especially if you have one who is a little less cheerful than the other children. I am not naming names, but I have one of those.

About the sayings. my children respond much better to positive interaction than with corrective measures, when it comes to the grumpies. Meaning, all of the punishments/consequences I have applied to this certain child over the years for their moodiness really has not seemed to work. I guess you cannot discipline a child into being happy! But, when I can take and make the time to interact with them with a positive attitude, praising every single step in the right (pleasant) direction, the outcome is much more favorable. Of course this takes much more effort on my part. I tend to be a drill sargent parent. Do this. Go there. Pick up this. When I remember to slow down, to actually talk to my children instead of at them, everyone is happier.....especially the grumpy child.

When I have the opportunity to spend one on one time with my children, especially a grumpy child, they are different children. In fact, the alone time with them serves as an immunization of sorts. The more time I spend with them individually, the better they behave and the more self-control they have the rest of the day. Hence, the ounce of prevention saying. Realistically, I don't spend enough of this alone time with each child. I am now seeing the direct benefit of that time though, and I am purposing to make that time happen.