From the desk of ... Mary Robinson Reynolds, M.S. Educational Psychology
Re: Fixing the Attitudes of Kids with the Brat Factor?

Are you Discerning about the Experts who Set Kids Up as The Enemy?

WOW! I recently read a book by an author who, despite some practical techniques provided in the book, inadvertently sets children up as the "enemy" in the minds of the adults working and living with today's children and adolescents.

The first section of this book about fixing the attitude of a child is called: Exposing The Brat Factor!"

This author begins by labeling children with attitude problems with inflammatory, diminishing and demoralizing labels such as:

Selfish Sheila, the Terminator, Cruella De Vil, Napoleon Complex
Couch Potato, In Your Face, Mr. Bigot, Drama Queen
Little Princess, Mr. Fresh Prince, Con Artist, Donald Trump, Poor Me

Think about it for one hot second here: How does "name calling" FIX the attitude of the child when the attitudinal energy of the ineffective adult who is calling the behavior - the Brat Factor - is what ignited - or at the very least - compounded the problematic behavior in the first place?

Understand, you are causing more harm than good when you LABEL a child - or anyone - in this way, either in your thinking and most certainly in the language you use "on" the child.

This one labeling factor alone causes more disruption and difficulty than anything else we do to or "at" today's youth. You are actually treating this individual like they are "the enemy," and this only magnifies a situation that needs RE-LABELING!

The only person here contributing to this problem is the adult with the ATTITUDE ... it begins with the Adult in charge. It does NOT matter what a child's home, environment or cultural situation is... what matters IS the label and expectation of whoever is "on deck" working with the child.

Yes, children most certainly WILL MIRROR the attitude of the adults when treated and "labeled" this way!

It's like putting your foot on a child's shoulder, pressing it to the ground, yelling "Get Up!"

We Teach People How To Treat Us! If you want respect, you must teach it and give it! Teach your children well ... drop the hurtful labels!

With my "think this" and then "do that" and you'll "make it better" Emotionally Healthy Effective Strategic Skills provided in my "grab it and read it" 96 page book that any teacher, any parent, any administrator can enJOY the benefits of Teaching children how to communicate, cope and function outstandingly at school, at home and at play. makeadifference.com/Connection

With MY book, Make A Difference with the Power of Connection you will discover just how EASY it can be to teach children of all ages, sizes and unproductive behavioral tendencies how they can find and use their words and behave in ways that are more skillful and productive.

Anybody you are in relationship with - at home or work - that is not going well? The same attitudinal principles work here too! If you LABEL, YOU LIMIT!

Reaching out to Make A Difference...
Mary

PS ... I welcome you to peruse my book before investing at: makeadifference.com/Connection

PPS ...To Learn How to Re-Label Children for the BEST, long-term, self-sustaining results for Academic Success for the '12-'13 School Year go to: www.AcademicSuccess101.com - companion program to the book.

Academic Success 101 is a Self-Paced Online Course with downloadable MP3s that you can listen in on my One-on-One Hot Seat Coaching of Parents, Faculty, Directors and Administrative Personnel.

You REALLY can make '12-'13 the MOST ENJOYABLE school year ever by learning the Power of Your Attitudinal Energy to FIX students with an attitude!

Heart Productions & Publishing, Greater Boston Area, 800-249-6587