Discipline don'ts says resource from Parents Magazine

Arh! Your kid made a huge mess in the kitchen trying to make her own breakfast(again). Or maybe she's playing bedtime ping-pong for the umpteenth time this week-running to you every five minuets asking for a drink a glass of water, another story, more cuddle time.. These behaviors are frustrating but normal for a child. Maybe you think a time out or a stern talking to will solve the problem but here is a thought. What you see as bad behavior is often completely reasonable depending on the child's developmental stage."Many parents are too quick to discipline their child when what they really need is understanding and encouragement" says Parents advisor Michele Borba, Ed,D., Author of 12 Simple Secrets Real Moms Know. " They're Young,they're clumsy and they don't know how to do everything yet. It's your job to teach them."

We outline three scenarios in which discipline is not the answer and tell you how to handle them effectively while keeping your cool.

1- He dropped the milk carton.

While you raced around trying to get everyone out the door, your preschooler decided to try and make his own breakfast cereal all by himself. The result: Major spillage and extra 15 minuets spent mopping up, changing his clothes and making breakfast number
He just wants to be indendent. By age 3 children want to try to do things for themselves,don't be so harsh on them and don't cry over spilt milk,it just happens.

2- She wets the bed several times a week.

It's 2 am and you're tired ,cranky and up( again) changing sheets and digging out clean pajamas for your little one. She sleeps to soundly to feel the urge to go pee. Children are not like adults that when they have to go to the bathroom is sends a message to the brain telling them to get up. If you're cranky towards your child when you have to get up and change their sheets, it's not because she wet the bed on purpose. Just accidents happen.

3-She resists going to bed everynight.

Bedtime is taking forever because your three year old please for just one more story( half a dozen times); Insists you check the closet,under the bed and in every bureau drawer for monsters: and leaves her bed no fewer then seven times a night after lights out. She is afraid to be left alone in the dark . It's easy to feel manipulated when your child keeps finding creative ways to stall bedtime, but it's common for preschoolers to experience nighttime fears.