This is lifted from a parenting programme with a strong track record: five minutes a day where the child is in charge and the parent just narrates and joins in. Across 23 trials the full programme, coached sessions plus this daily homework, cuts behaviour problems by a large margin and lowers parents' stress. Evidence: solid The five minutes on their own have never been tested apart from the rest. Evidence: worth trying
The trials are with children roughly two to seven with real behaviour problems. Evidence: solid For an ordinary kid, or a teenager, treat it as a good habit rather than a treatment. With teenagers the version is: their music in the car, no comment.
The hard part is not asking questions. Try it once and you'll see.
Same theme: With the kids
With the kids
Catch the surge, not the shout
Learn the first sign your temper is climbing: jaw, hands, voice. When it comes, stop mid-sentence and do the double breath before you say another word.
1 minEvidence: worth trying
With the kids
Pick the one rule you'll actually hold
Pick one rule for this week. Agree the wording with your partner if you have one. Say it the same way and follow through the same way every time, tired or not.
5 minEvidence: decent
With the kids
Rough play, then a landing
Wrestle or chase at their pace. Stop the moment they say stop, every time. Then land it together. Sit, slow down, a drink of water, before anything else.
10 minEvidence: worth trying