Think of the things your child has outgrown this year—a pair of shoes, a jacket, jeans. When she outgrows some of her clothing, it needs to be replaced.

How about the limits you set for your child? Those can be outgrown, too. But many parents never realize the importance of checking regularly to see whether the limits they’ve established still “fit.”
The same bedtime that worked when your child was in first grade won’t work in sixth grade when she needs less sleep (and has more homework). Rules about cell phones, watching television and seeing friends also have to be changed as your child grows and matures.

There’s no book to tell you what limits are appropriate for your child. In fact, within the same family, you might have to do things a little differently for each child.

Remember that if you relax a boundary and your child doesn’t respond positively, you can always return to the way things were. You might have to say, “We tried letting you set your own time for homework, but that’s the second time this week that you didn’t finish an assignment. I guess we’ll have to go back to our old homework rules for a while. Maybe we can try again in a few months.”

Some families review the limits they set for their children on each child’s birthday. Others choose the start or finish of a school year as the best time to make adjustments. If you haven’t made any changes in your family’s rules for a while, now might be a good opportunity.

Talk to one of our specialists about emotional over-reactions or other parenting struggles by contacting us or calling (630) 969-3233 today. We may be able to help assist behavioral issues through the use of neurofeedback.

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