Behaviour Management for Dads

Realistic Expectations – Act your age!

Dads, do you have any idea what you can reasonably expect your child to be able to do at various ages and stages of development?

• Can a 9-month-old baby be expected to understand ‘No’?
• Should an 18 month old be able to manage the stairs safely?
• Can a 2-year-old share?
• Does a 3 year old understand ‘cause and effect’?
• Can a 5 year old understand how to keep safe on the roads?
• Is a child just lazy if they still wet the bed at 6 years old?
• Should a teenager be able to resist peer pressure?

If you don’t, you may find yourself supervising your children inappropriately and disciplining them unfairly. You may end up wrapping them in cotton wool or giving them responsibility they cannot handle. You could damage your relationship and wreck their self esteem into the bargain – so find out – ask – phone a friend – I bet you know what kind of performance you can reasonably expect from your car or your footie team!

There are plenty of resources out there on ‘Child development’ – try your local bookshop, library, or do an Internet search to access them.