Issue 11: Discipline during Distancing

Discipline for All Ages

This issue of Eagle Counseling Newsletter is dedicated to all things discipline. This week alone, I’ve said, “No, you can't throw your baby sister to the ground. She doesn’t like that.” And, "Fruit snacks are a privilege, not a guarantee." And I taught my almost 3 year old some complicated math, “No, you can’t leave the table until you’ve eaten two bites of peas, or one bite of grilled cheese and one bite of peas, or two bites of grilled cheese. You pick.” We’ve also discussed (at length) why she can’t climb the lower kitchen drawers to open the oven herself, and why she can't touch the dead squirrel in the alley. 

It’s my goal to make parenting more than a list of things my kids can’t do, but I’m tired of hearing, “But why not?” “But I want to!” If you’re like me, I hope these videos below speak some life into your current discipline methods. I promise these strategies aren’t complicated, but they may look radically different than what you’ve been doing. Sometimes, change is good. 

How do you discipline during a pandemic?
NBC Philadelphia

Conflict and Consequences:
The New Roadmap to Behavioral Change
By: Jill Molli

Click Here for Video

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Sibling Rivalry

No one knows you like your sibling because you live so much life together. This stay at home order has put a strain on these relationships in many ways because of the underlying stress of COVID-19 and being in close proximity with each other. I hope this article (and free printable resources!) from Child Mind Institute help you manage sibling relationships in a healthy way.

When Siblings Won’t Stop Fighting:
How parents can keep the peace
​and help kids learn to resolve conflicts
By: Katherine Martinelli 

Click Here to Read

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Discipline for Preschool Ages

If your household is anything like ours, the past several weeks have been a roller coaster of old and new routines, tweaking routines, scrapping routines, and at moments, just survival of the day-to-day.  And while I am thankful that my ten-month-old daughter is mostly blissfully unaware of the changes to the world around her, my three and five year old boys hover somewhere between sweet little gentlemen and Tazmanian devils.  We are pausing to remember that they not only reflect any stress my wife and I might display, but also that they are processing their own anxiety from all of the changes to their routines too.  This article is helpful in not only identifying the underlying anxieties, but reminding us to have grace for our children as well as ourselves in the midst of the “New Abnormal” as our Upper School Principal Dr. Jeremy Lowe put it so well.

COVID-19 Anxiety in Children
By: Kim Marxhausen

CLick here to read

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Discipline for Elementary Ages

A few weeks ago, Prince of Peace 3rd grade teacher, Stacy Warner, mentioned that she uses a “Calm Down Corner” in her classroom, and she suggests using one at home to help children manage their emotions. What a great idea! I did some digging and found a ton of videos and how-to’s about building your own Calm Down Corner. Click below to read a beginner's guide to creating your own Calm Down Corner.

The Best Things to Include in a Calm Down Corner
   By: Sharla Kostelyk

Click Here to Read

Regression can be a common occurrence when it comes to situations with high levels of stress.  Mr. Hahn has helped us all normalize the time of COVID-19 by reminding us that these are extraordinary times, and that it goes beyond the norm.  My three year old suddenly became obsessed with my whereabouts about a week into the “shelter-in-place” orders, which did not come as a shock to me.  When he kept it up however, I began to realize that this was bigger than just “missing daddy.”  But whether your child is three, thirteen, or thirty, we all regress out of our natural instincts to adapt to the situation.  So no matter the age, if your child is “acting like a baby,” read ahead for some great advice.

Why Your Child is Acting Like a Baby Right Now
By: Lisa Tolin

CLick here to read

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Discipline for Middle School and Upper School Ages

Jeffco Public Schools in Colorado put together this amazing page of Mental Health Resources for Children. They include changes to watch for, videos from mental health experts, self-care tips, and more. Please check it out below. 

Click Here for Mental Health Resources

Following social distancing and “shelter-in-place” rules are difficult, and no one really “likes” them.  But as some adults are still clearly struggling with these, it is even more important that we help our tweens and teens understand their importance for themselves and for the health of others.  The following article provides some quick tips on keeping the focus on the right things and following through, which is so important for our young adults right now.

Keeping teens home and away from friends during COVID-19
By: Claire McCarthy, MD

click here to read