Planting Lifelong Skills in Your KidsSample

TEACHING KIDS POSITIVE BEHAVIOR Every parent wants positive behavior from their child. The trick is often knowing how to get it. Monty Roberts is an internationally known horse trainer. He spent years developing techniques that “break” horses without violence or brutality. He discovered that adult horses communicate with younger ones through specific movements and behavior. By mimicking those core patterns himself, Monty could persuade wild horses to accept a saddle and rider without inflicting pain on the horse. Monty didn’t dominate the horse with a “Do as I say!” attitude. Instead, he built a connection with the horse and gained its trust by rewarding it for even the slightest compliance to his expectations. Eventually, the horse chose to cooperate with Monty. He believes the same concepts also work in parenting. And he and his wife ought to know, having raised nearly fifty children from foster care. Like the wild horses on his ranch, the kids received firm correction for inappropriate behavior and positive rewards for the slightest improvement. Even kids from difficult backgrounds soon trusted him and felt safe in his care. As a result, they wanted to abide by the rules of the home. Does this parenting method sound familiar? It should. It may be new for horses, but it’s a recipe for parenting that’s been right there in Scripture for centuries. It takes some patience and consistency, but there’s nothing like it to teach kids to make positive behavior a way of life. Is there some way you can reward your child for making a good choice today? For a daily dose of encouragement and perspective, check out Jim Daly’s blog, Daly Focus, at JimDalyBlog.com.