Recommends the development of a routine to transform the morning getting-ready battleground into a congenial team effort. Offers hints for a successful routine, including expecting everyone to be dressed before breakfast; considering having no TV; eliminating most morning decision-making; involving everyone; and not using rewards with routines.…

Offers a strategy for successfully dining with young children in restaurants. The strategy includes prevention, preparation, and practice for both parents and children. (JPB)

Responds to a letter from a parent facing serious problems in putting her child to sleep at night. Suggests that a child's eagerness to spend as much time as possible with his or her parents can create problems at bedtime. Proposes increasing shared time, and putting the child to bed, but handing over to the child responsibility for sleeping. (AA)

Advocates experiential education in parental education classes. Explores the definition of experiential learning, why it succeeds, and how to incorporate it. Specifically addresses: (1) the learning part; (2) sensory input; (3) interpretation and organization; (4) metaphors; (5) motion; (6) types of activities; and (7) long-term implementation.…

Describes important components of parent education classes including: (1) class composition; (2) inherent vulnerability of participants; (3) a fun and encouraging atmosphere; (4) teachers who ask and do not tell; (5) teachers who accept mistakes; (6) a parent-friendly class that includes food, movement, and modeling; and (7) focus on parenthood as…

Identifies the steps involved in changing behavior as a process over time: (1) becoming aware of desire to change; (2) announcing intentions and noticing actions; (3) recognizing detours and catching them during the act; (4) effecting change; (5) managing roadblocks; (6) reinforcing the changed behavior; and (7) completing the process of change.…