A review of 16 studies, 1,521 fathers and their kids, looked at rough-and-tumble play with fathers and found links with how the kids do. Evidence: worth trying Every one of those links is a correlation. Fathers who play like this may differ in other ways too, so nobody can say the play caused anything.
You'll see it sold as building better kids. The research doesn't show that. Do it because they like it.
The landing isn't from the research. Ending on a slow minute rather than a sudden stop is just a sensible way to come down from a high. Untested. Evidence: worth trying
The rule that matters is the stop. When they say stop, you stop. The whole game rests on that.
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
Five minutes where they lead
Once a day, five minutes with your kid doing whatever they pick. You follow, describe what they're doing, no questions, no phone, no teaching.
5 minEvidence: decent
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