| I know a guy who lived in a closely knit neighbourhood | | | | actual cost, which, quite frankly is a fraction of one to |
| and every time he misbehaved, his parents knew all | | | | one counselling. |
| about it, even before he walked in the door! There is | | | | As regards teenage driving, parents can make sure |
| so much that a parent neighborhood watch can | | | | that there is a sort of family driving contract and all the |
| achieve. There can be joint events, parenting seminars | | | | practice hours of driving are completed before the |
| but above all, everybody knows each other's kids and | | | | teen is allowed off on his own. Parents could also |
| there will be fewer problems with child discipline. It is in | | | | draw up a few simple rules for sleepovers and also |
| this sort of neighborhood where rates of child abuse, | | | | aim to meet before the child actually stays there. |
| teen pregnancy, crime and juvenile substance abuse | | | | Parents can prevent child discipline problems which |
| are going down. Other studies have shown that there | | | | may arise when doing homework. Simple things like |
| is better social awareness among kids and fewer | | | | providing a quiet area and making sure that all |
| cases of problem behavior. | | | | distractions such as TV and computers and phones |
| It can be very supportive if parents in the community | | | | are switched off. Some parents draw up a sort of |
| have a common stance on certain behaviours so that | | | | homework contract with their older kids and again, if |
| the classic line 'But John's parents let him do that!' will | | | | parents can agree on a common approach, this will be |
| not cut any ice. The only problem is that some parents | | | | a great help. |
| are more lenient than others and everybody has | | | | Child discipline can be solved in many ways and |
| different views about parenting. Bit some agreement | | | | parents can help each other. Parenting skills classes |
| can be reached on what the bottom line is. This can | | | | are held in some parts of the UK and they are funded |
| be a great support to some beleaguered parents who | | | | by the government. What do parents learn in these |
| are feeling the pressure. I know some parents who | | | | sessions? They can learn behavior modification |
| shared the cost of a child behavior program - I think | | | | techniques which will help them to deal with all sorts of |
| the main idea was to help each other, rather than the | | | | child discipline problems. |