Bullseye!

Did you know that you create a target for your child's behavior? You determine how large it is by what you will accept from them. You might want them to hit the bullseye, but you accept behavior "close to the mark" or "not so close to the mark." They learn by your response what they can ultimately get away with and that expands the target. For example, do you give too many warnings? Do you accept incomplete obedience?

The bullseye means obedience. For younger children it is, "All the way, right away, and with a happy face." And for older children, "Do what I say, do it right away, and do it with a good attitude." And then say, "Hooray! You hit the bullseye!"

You may be thinking this sounds so tyrannical. Should I really expect that my children hit the bullseye?  Kids love to hit the bullseye if it is clear what the bullseye is. And then life is happy and good. If you think hitting the bullseye is too much to ask of them, or if the bullseye isn't clearly defined, you will be dealing with many extra challenges and life will be more challenging. Train those young ones to aim for the bullseye!